Rules Committee Approves Nomination Of Renee Gumbs Carty As Superior Court Judge

ST. THOMAS — The Committee on Rules and Judiciary on Thursday approved the nomination of Assistant Attorney General Renee Gumbs Carty, above, to serve as a judge in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands in this district. If her appointment is approved by the full Senate, Ms. Gumbs Carty will serve a six-year term.

“The Virgin Islands’ judiciary will benefit greatly from her inclusion on the bench as a result of her wealth of knowledge and experience working within the local justice system,” said Governor Kenneth Mapp during the announcement of her appointment.

Ms. Gumbs Carty thanked the governor for the nomination, though she said it was not solicited.

“I am humbled, and deeply honored by [Governor Kenneth Mapp’s] request to serve the people of the Virgin Islands,” she said at the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Hall.

Ms. Gumbs Carty was born and raised here and lived in the territory all her life, except during her years of law school at the Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Upon her return back home in 1990, she began clerking at the then-Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands. She has since served at the Department of Justice in several capacities.

As assistant A.G., Ms. Gumbs Carty said she has written opinions, prosecuted several high-profile cases and appeared before almost every judge in the St. Thomas-St. John — including those now retired.

“I am a hard worker, energetic, experienced and knowledgeable,” she said. “I have been in the trenches. I am a litigator; I am a trial lawyer, I understand what it is like for a citizen in the community who desperately wants to have — as the saying goes — his day in court. I am keenly aware that a person wants his or her fair chance at justice either in a civil matter or criminal matter.” Ms. Gumbs Carty appeared to be addressing the governor’s frustration with cases that have gone unattended for years in the Superior Court.

“We have citizens in our community who are filing petitions for mandamus with the Supreme Court — which is simply asking the Superior Court judges to do their jobs — and having the Supreme Court act on those petitions to make a decision to move a trial forward,” Mr. Mapp said at Government House in March.

Senators unanimously supported Ms. Gumbs Carty, with some acknowledging that they had worked with her over the years. Lawmakers had received letters in support and against her nomination, with dissenters characterizing her as an unfair person who does not allow due process. Ms. Gumbs Carty countered by stating that some employees simply opposed her, and made known that a hearing process is in place at D.O.J. for all employees with grievances.

Her nomination was forwarded to the full Senate without opposition.