The trial of former Chief Justice William Sullivan has raised so much controversy that every CT Supreme Court justice has excused themselves from the case.An Appellate Court, a court whose jurisdiction is to review decisions of lower courts or agencies, will take over the Connecticut Supreme Court for the first time in Connecticut history. In an unprecedented move, seven Appellate Court judges assumed the seats of the Supreme Court justices to hear arguments on whether former Supreme Court Chief Justice William Sullivan should have to testify before lawmakers. A lower court ruled the chief justice didn't have to appear, and that prompted the appeal.Justice Sullivan's attorney, Ed Sheehy, says the former chief justice was acting within his judicial powers when he withheld the release of a court opinion last March. However, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says Justice Sullivan ordered the hold to help the nomination process of his successor. Determining the motive for the hold is the reason the Legislative Judiciary Committee wants Sullivan to testify. However, Sullivan?s attorney claims under the constitution, as sitting justice, his client is not subject to testify in connection with his judicial functions. Senator Andrew McDonald (D-Stamford) says the governor will not nominate a new chief justice until the Legislature's questions are answered. The case is expected to be settled by the end of the year.