Santa Clara County judge's trial begins Santa Clara County judge's trial begins (April 09, 2004)

Danser is accused of fixing tickets

Opening statements in the trial of Santa Clara County Judge William Danser began on Tuesday with the prosecutor telling the six-man, six-woman jury that the judge allegedly fixed tickets and drunken-driving cases to impress people with his power.

Deputy District Attorney David Pandori told the jury that the Santa Clara County Superior Court judge would transfer cases from other judges' courtrooms without their knowledge, hold secret hearings, and dismiss tickets under false pretenses for his friends or people with good connections.

"What is this case about? It's about power, it's about friends, and it's about corruption,'' Pandori said.

Danser could face a maximum sentence of three years in prison if convicted of the one felony and eight misdemeanor charges against him.

Pandori told jurors that this was not a traditional corruption case where money was involved; Danser allegedly fixed tickets solely to display his judicial power, Pandori said.

"This isn't about getting rich, it's about impressing people with power,'' Pandori said.

Among the people Danser allegedly fixed tickets for were San Jose Sharks goalie Yevgeniy Nabokov, team President Greg Jamison, and San Jose Earthquakes soccer player Dewayne Derosario.

Danser is represented by attorney Ken Robinson.

-- Bay City News

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