Judge denies request by Rep. Allen West to seize ballots

Forgive me if this is a duplicate.

http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_3049.shtml


Judge denies request by Rep. Allen West to seize ballots, voting machines for recount

Posted by Scott T. Smith / CBS12 News

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Two court hearings requested by Rep. Allen West and his attorneys -- one here in West Palm Beach, another in St. Lucie County -- supposed to take place at noon to demand a recount in his loss to Patrick Murphy in the District 18 race.

The hearing in St. Lucie County was cancelled, but the one in West Palm Beach got under way with lawyers for West, Murphy and the Supervisor of Elections addressing the judge. West's lawyers say their big concern is securing the ballots for a possible recount.

Judge David Crow appeared impatient with arguments from West's attorneys. He took a brief recess at 12:40 p.m., saying he'd return in 15 minutes with an announcement.

When Crow returned shortly before 1 p.m., he announced he was denying West's motion for an injunction, effectively leaving it to the county elections officials to follow procedures to determine a winner in the race.