California IN BRIEF : COLUSA : Judge Apparently Hangs Himself

A Colusa County Superior Court judge apparently hanged himself in the kitchenette of his court chambers, authorities said. The body of Judge Bert B. Bailey, 57, was found hanging by a rope by friends who went to look for him after his wife, Helen, could not reach him by phone. “It’s an apparent suicide, but I’m not ruling out any other possibilities,” said Sheriff’s Capt. Kevin Wheeler. Bailey’s tenure on the bench had been turbulent since his appointment by then-Gov. George Deukmejian in 1987. He had battled politically with county supervisors and the county counsel’s office, and the state Commission of Judicial Performance had conducted an inquiry into his conduct.