“One measure of a good judge may be how many decisions has he authored with which he did not personally agree … that despite the fact that he might have preferred a different law, as a judge he follows the law as enacted and faithfully executes it… and can there be any doubt that Caleb will be such a judge?” (Judge Eric Melgren speaking of newly appointed justice to the Kansas Supreme Court, Justice Caleb Stegall.)
The first time I heard the name “Caleb Stegall” was while in a foreign country in need of someone to take up my defense. His name was on a small piece of paper that Nikki Lankford (now Nikki Black) passed from the women’s cell into the general population of the Haitian jail we were in waiting for news on our release. It was a message from Renee that stated a man named Caleb Stegall was now helping us and that he was a godly man.
The name, Caleb Stegall, had no personal meaning to me at the time. His name was initially just a name of another lawyer.
Today, when I read or hear of Caleb Stegall, I am immediately interested. In an unselfish, potentially career risky move, communication reached my brother-in-law’s wife, Marta, that Caleb Stegall was willing to help our family.
At the time, nearly five years ago, Caleb was a well respected lawyer in Topeka, Kansas.
I first met Caleb Stegall in the Kansas City International Airport, moments before he would first talk to the media about our return from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Last week, Caleb Stegall was sworn in as Justice Caleb Stegall to the Kansas Supreme Court.
For the glory of God, may the LORD raise up judges across the land like Justice Caleb Stegall.
