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Local lawyer argued before SCOTUS nominee

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A local lawyer said he’s seen Supreme Court justice nominee Merrick Garland in action.

President Barack Obama nominated Garland for the high court Wednesday morning.

Attorney William Groth said he once argued a case before Garland in D.C. circuit court.

“He’s known as a very fair, middle of the road judge who’s earned the respect of his colleagues and virtually all the lawyers who’ve practiced in front of him,” Groth said.

Groth said he hopes the U.S. Senate will promptly give Garland a fair hearing and a vote.

Senate Republicans said that shouldn’t happen until after the presidential election.

“It seems clear that President Obama made this nomination not with the intent of seeing the nominee confirmed, but in order to politicize it for purposes of the election,” Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Sen. Dan Coats of Indiana released a statement saying in part, “The next President, with input from voters in the upcoming election, should fill the current Supreme Court vacancy.”

Sen. Joe Donnelly, on the other hand, is urging his peers to debate and vote on the nomination.

Groth doesn’t know what will happen to the judge he argued before years ago.

He does know that a political fight is brewing in Washington.

“The president and the Democrats in the Senate are going to do everything they can to turn up the heat,” Groth said.

“The American people should have a say in the court’s direction,” McConnell said.