The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd has tossed out the impeachment petition against Goodman, arguing it failed to show sufficient grounds for removal.
In the decision, Shepherd also wrote that the legislative impeachment power "does not extend to a judge's rulings or court administration unless conduct involves criminal acts" — an opinion that runs counter to the interpretation put forward by the House Impeachment Committee.
Proponents of impeachment argued Goodman acted outside her legal duties by ignoring precedent, allowing biases to interfere with her rulings, and disregarding the separation of powers. Opponents said Goodman committed no crimes and that removal was an extraordinary remedy in such a case.
The impeachment was set to be heard in the Kentucky Senate in April, though Goodman has appealed to the Kentucky Supreme Court to halt the proceedings. Shepherd's ruling leaves the timeline unclear moving forward, but he said the matter ultimately falls to the high court.