One of the most outspoken critics of my
theory has been, James R. Ross, a man who is generally believed to be the
great-grandson of Jesse James. Ross was very active in the modern day
organization of the James-Younger Gang, but has since withdrawn his
membership And as you may imagine Ross takes great offense at my book, as
well as my theories about Jesse James.
After the publication of my book, I sent a complimentary copy to Ross
requesting that he read Jesse James
Lived & Died in Texas. He did
respond by writing a letter to me that he also had published in the Spring
2000 issue of the James-Younger Gang Journal. I requested that Thurston
James, the editor of the James-Younger Gang Journal, allow space for the
publication of my letter of response to Ross' letter, but he refused
saying that he had to live with those people.
Open Letter to Betty
Duke, by James Ross
Reply to James Ross' Open Letter,
by Betty Duke
Adding to the controversial nature of this discussion is the question of
James Ross' credibility. Mr. Ross most often refers to himself as Judge
Ross. At one time, Mr. Ross was indeed a judicial officer of the court in
the state of California. However, commencing in 1996, an inquiry was begun
into Mr. Ross' conduct while a Judge. James Ross was censured by the
California Commission on Judicial Performance and was censured and barred
from further serving in a judicial capacity. James Ross resigned his
judicial seat rather than face removal due to these findings.
The official records from the 1996-1997 California judicial inquiry raises
a number of questions about the motives and ethics of James Ross including
but not limited to a finding by that Commission that Ross "engaged in
willful misconduct or conduct prejudicial as to counts One, Two, Four and
Five. Count Two alleges use of the judicial office for personal gain,
specifically promotion and sale of a book written by Judge Ross."
Click here to read the Official record of the Censure of James Ross.
