Judge back on bench, agrees to counseling

Third District Judge Stephen Henriod is back on the bench after agreeing to undergo counseling following a health-related absence and a string of police calls to his house.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office records that have been redacted to remove names show three police calls to Henriod's home in the past year: a domestic violence call Jan. 15 in which deputies seized three guns; a Feb. 18 call from a woman reporting that a man had threatened suicide; and an April 23 call in which a man reportedly attempted suicide.

In the April situation, a gray-haired 58-year-old man was reported to have overdosed on pills and was taken to Cottonwood Hospital in serious condition.

Presiding Judge Sandra Peuler has deemed Henriod, who presided over the district's Drug Court, fit to return to work, according to Nancy Volmer, spokeswoman for the state Administrative Office of the Courts.

"She is aware of the health concerns involving Judge Henriod, and she has initiated steps to ensure the judge was able to return to the bench and handle his caseload," Volmer said.

"In general, when there are concerns, processes are put in place to monitor health issues and ensure the judge remains capable of handling his or her caseload."

Volmer said the administrative office cannot address specifics in the case because of privacy laws. But Henriod gave permission to release a statement about his health: "One of the conditions about his returning to the bench was that he needed a letter form his therapist that indicated he was physically and mentally able to return to work and resume the duties of the bench. Another condition was that he would continue to be involved in ongoing counseling."

Henriod returned to the bench May 10 after a two-week absence. He had been in intensive care in a hospital cardiac unit, according to Volmer.

Colin Winchester, executive director of the Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC), said he could not affirm or deny that any formal investigation is ongoing involving Henriod. The JCC must receive a complaint before it launches an investigation into a judge's conduct and does not reveal whether a complaint has been filed. The JCC can recommend that a judge be involuntarily retired if the individual has a substantial disability that interferes with the person's ability to do the job.

Henriod was appointed to the bench in 1994 by Gov. Mike Leavitt after being an attorney in private practice for 19 years. Among other responsibilities, he has presided over Drug Court. Henriod also has handled such cases as the recent sentencing of Gayle Gilbert Benavidez, a convicted felon sentenced to prison for the 1976 cold case slaying of a Salt Lake woman, and in 2001 ruled on the district court level in the case of a man who wanted to pray to "Our Mother in Heaven" before the Murray City Council.

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E-mail: lindat@desnews.com