judge kengis allegan county
In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Generally, ex parte communications between a judge and only one party in a legal matter are prohibited by ethics codes for judges and attorneys because they can give an unfair advantage to one side in a case. Ballotpedia features 395,436 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Villar obtained emails sent during Loews case between Koch and Bakker in which Bakker wrote to Koch regarding the police: (T)his trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Under the plea agreement announced by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Montenegro and defense attorney James Miller, Field will plead no contest to three counts of attempted aggravated indecent exposure, one count of perjury, one count of unauthorized practice of a health profession, one count of health care fraud and one count of possession of marijuana. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck My office is contemplating an appeal. Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch disagreed with the retrial order and said her office is considering an appeal. George Field, 60, of Dowagiac, had been scheduled to face trial starting Monday in Cass County Circuit Court on 17 criminal sexual conduct, insurance fraud and perjury charges. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. Before that, she worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor, the last eight as chief prosecutor. Allegan County Friend of the Court et al 1:2021cv00195 | US District Court for the Western District of Michigan | Justia Collet v. Allegan County Friend of the Court et al RSS Track this Docket Docket Report This docket was last retrieved on March 3, 2021. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. Let us know here, 57th District Court Allegan County113 Chestnut Street0.0 mile away, Allegan County Probate Court2243 33rd Street2.2 miles away, 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren CountyCourthouse - Second Floor, 212 East Paw Paw Street12.6 miles away, 2023 Everything-Bytes | Terms of Use & Privacy Policy. County Clerk, Judge, or Other Info: Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Additional: Frederick Anderson (Prosecuting Attorney), Margaret Zuzich Bakker (Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney); Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys: Douglas E. Ketchum, Roberts A. Kengis, Steven J. Lanting, Myrene K. Koch, Daniel Norbeck, Judy H Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the high court announced it would hear arguments in the case, but limited the scope to the ramifications of discovered communications where the presiding judge overseeing Loew's initial trial was sharing her opinion of the case through emails with the head prosecutor. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. Website: http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon After the trooper left the witness stand, Bakker emailed Koch: This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Allegan, MI 49010 In 2020, Kengis was elected to the circuit court. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. More:Man wins new trial over email exchange between judge, prosecutor, More:Judges recused from hearing mans request for new trial, More:Allegan man says judge, prosecutor denied him a fair trial. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. Judge Roberts Kengis is the new chief judge of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County. ALLEGAN Should a criminal defendant in Allegan County get a new trial after claiming he didn't get a fair shake? The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. Penny Brown . During the runup to the primary election in August, prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, incumbent prosecutor Myrene Koch, of inappropriate ex parte communications with Judge Margaret Bakker. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI A judge ordered a retrial for a man convicted of sexual assault because the trial judge emailed the county prosecutor who was not trying the case during proceedings. The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore? The appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. Ex parte translates from Latin to mean out of the party; in the context of the legal system, it is communication about a case between a judge and one sides attorney that occurs without the other partys counsel present. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. The chief judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two years. Kengis will continue as Prosecuting Attorney until March 19 when he starts his role as a Circuit Judge, a position he was appointed to by Governor Rick Snyder. Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed that decision in a split 2-1 opinion in January this year. Judge Kengis handles all the case types that are dealt with in circuit court: criminal felonies, civil cases with a value over $25,000.00, divorce, custody, and paternity cases, personal protection order cases, child protective proceedings, guardianships, adoptions, and appeals from district court and administrative bodies. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[2]. Aundria Bowman's body was discovered buried on the Bowmanproperty in Hamilton in February 2020, after Dennis Bowman confessed the location of her body to his wife. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. Marcia Johnson. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. Judges Jon Van Allsburg, Mark Feyen and Bradley Knoll were reappointed to two-year terms as chief judges of Ottawa County's 20th Circuit Court, Probate Court and 58th District Court, respectively. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. Gov. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . Rob Kengis. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI - A judge ordered a retrial for a man convicted of sexual assault because the trial judge emailed the county prosecutor - who was not trying the case - during. "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. 100 largest cities in America by population, United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, Michigan Fifty-seventh Judicial District Court, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2023, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2022, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2021, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2020, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2019, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Allegan_County,_Michigan_(Judicial)&oldid=7667650, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. The fact that the presiding judge was commenting on the quality of the investigation while the trial was underway it's inconceivable to me that that could happen," Lynch said. Loew's attorney, Heath Lynch, argued it's impossible to know whether Koch shared the communications with Jipp and whether trial strategy was altered due to what Bakker wrote in the emails. If there are not more than twice the amount of candidates than there are persons to be elected, the race will not appear on the primary election ballot, but only on the general election ballot. Presiding Family Court Judge, Allegan County, Michigan According to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Bakker did not apply for reappointment in this appointment cycle, circuit court administrator Jennifer Brink said, and supported Kengis's application for chief judge in a letter to the Michigan Supreme Court. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. All rights reserved. Allegan County, All civil cases at law over $300., Civil cases in equity., Proceedings in habeas corpus., Felonies and misdemeanors, Proceedings in quo warranto., Prohibition and certiorari cases., Appeals from magistrate court, municipal court, and administrative agenc, Phone Number: 269-673-0300 She said the jury reached the decision. All rights reserved. ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. Example video title will go here for this video. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. The emails between Koch and Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew's trial was occurring in Bakker's courtroom. Betty Kortman . Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial, Man wins new trial over email exchange between judge, prosecutor, Judges recused from hearing mans request for new trial, Allegan man says judge, prosecutor denied him a fair trial, Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. If there are more than twice the number of candidates than there are judgeships up for election, the race will appear on the primary election ballot. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. 100% remote. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. The point is she tried. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. Honorable Michael L. Buck . Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. *Please call to verify. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. [1], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI49010 .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} She noted that he has already conducted trials in his home county during the pandemic, which should be a help as Cass County starts holding them. In August 2019, Loew was convicted by a jury of multiple rapes of a relative of his wife, a girl who was 13 at the time of the first assault. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. In the majority opinion, Murray wrote that while the appeals court recognized the communications were ex parte, such communications "between a sitting judge and a prosecutor do not warrant a new trial so long as the communications focus on administrative or procedural (i.e. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. Koch and her husband married in 1993. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. In Allegan County, the presiding judge of the Family Court is the Honorable Michael L. Buck. Roberts Kengis Circuit Court Judge at Allegan County Government Plainwell, Michigan, United States 781 followers 500+ connections Join to connect Allegan County Government Wayne State. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . Bowman told detectives thaton the day he reported 14-year-old Aundria missing, March 11, 1989, he came home to find Aundria had broken into her parents' room, normally kept locked, and was getting ready to run away. *Not location specific. Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests, Annual Reports and State of the County Report. Allegan, MI 49010, Design By Granicus - Connecting People & Government. Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. He was sentenced last November to at least 20 years in prison. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. CASSOPOLIS A former Southwestern Michigan College instructor accused of having improper relations with a student he was counseling has accepted a plea deal just days before his trial was to start. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker (MLive File Photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. Soon after election, she was appointed as chief judge, a position she has held for 11 years. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Dobrich said Allegan Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis will preside over the trial, which will take place in Cassopolis. 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010 Allegan County Court System Type: Civil, General Civil - Unlimited, General Civil - Limited, Small Claims, Complex Commercial, Foreclosures and Liens, Real Estate Title and Boundary, Criminal, Mental Health Division: Contact Information: Phone Number: 269-673-0400 Fax: 269-673-0490 The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation., Bakker then wrote: One more question..this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?, Koch replied a few minutes later: Yes, because the prior (assistant prosecuting attorney) assigned to the case did not catch that it was missed nor did anyone else who touched the file., Lynch said that the ex parte communication, or communication with only one side, showed bias and violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. ALLEGAN Judge Roberts Kengis took over supervision of the 48th Circuit Court on Jan. 1 as chief judge after he was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to replace Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker in the role. Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. Judge Bakker says, "Myrene has demonstrated an outstanding ability to represent the peoples interests in criminal prosecutions before this Court and as Chief Assistant has demonstrated strong administrative abilities that will serve her and the County of Allegan well as Prosecutor.. ALLEGAN Two Allegan County judges have recused themselves from hearing the case of Daniel Loew, who is asking for a new trial after emails between the judge and the Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney were released during the prosecutors re-election campaign. Michigan District Courts Field has been free on $50,000 cash or surety bond since July 2018 after being held on a higher bond for several months after his arrest in September 2017. Allegan Attorney Michael Villar, who challenged Koch for her job in the August Republican primary, uncovered the emails in a Freedom of Information Act request. The sentences run concurrently. "Whenever an issue arises or a policy decision needs to be made, Judge Bakker and Judge Kengis always discuss the matter prior to the chief making the final decision.". The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. They have four children. Villar lost the primary election in August and a recount of votes conducted last week affirmed that Koch had won re-election by 19 votes. 1983 against the County of Allegan, the State of Michigan, Kevin Cronin, a former judge of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County, and Robert Kengis, a current judge of the 48th Circuit Court, alleging claims for denial of due process, cruel and unusual punishment The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years after "an extensive review process," according to the State Court Administrative Office. prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. "Maybe it wasn't the case, but it creates the appearance of coaching, or at least flagging, 'This is something you're going to need to address,' and that's my worry," Baillargeon said. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. Judges Elections Allegan County, Michigan Circuit Court 48th Circuit Court, Michigan Margaret Bakker (Chief judge) Kevin W. Cronin [1] District Court Michigan Fifty-seventh Judicial District Court William Baillargeon (Chief judge) Joseph S. Skocelas [2] Probate Court Allegan County Probate Court, Michigan Michael L. Buck [3] See also non-substantive) matters.". SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. The defense said the emails show misconduct. Message to the Board of Commissioners, Prosecutor Koch, Judge Kengis, Judge Bakker, Sheriff Baker and the people who witness unconstitutional and corrupt actions in Allegan County and do nothing.. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Daniel Albert Loew, 26, was convicted by an Allegan County Circuit Court jury of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), two counts of third-degree CSC and a single count of second-degree CSC. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. After serving as the elected prosecuting attorney for the county, Kengis appointment to the circuit court occurred in March of 2018 by then Governor Rick Snyder when Judge Kevin Cronin resigned. Lynch told The Sentinel on Friday the most recent decision to hear arguments indicates the high court's interest in issues it deems of "significant public concern.". Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. It was after his arrest in November 2019 for Doyle's murder that he began asking to speak to detectives about the circumstances of Aundria'sdeath. She has been recognized for her volunteer work with South Haven Public Schools and the Allegan County Coordinating Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. The rest of the charges against Field will be dismissed including charges of criminal sexual conduct and no additional charges will be brought against him from the investigation. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. Jennifer Garcia. Additional: Frederick Anderson (Prosecuting Attorney), Margaret Zuzich Bakker (Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney); Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys: Douglas E. Ketchum, Roberts A. Kengis, Steven J. Lanting, Myrene K. Koch, Daniel Norbeck, Judy H. Visit our Links Page for websites providing Employment Listings, as well as US Government holiday closings. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. While Koch said she did not talk to her assistant prosecutor about the judges remarks, Lynch said in court filings that APA Jipp had ample time to adjust her trial strategy and presentation of evidence to address concerns the judge voiced with remarkable candor., He said the trial transcript indicates that APA Jipp indeed addressed the issues raised by Judge Bakker.. http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. 48th Judicial Circuit Court They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. Lynch said that emails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act showed improper communication between the trial judge, Margaret Zuzich-Bakker, and the prosecutor, regarding substantive matters that gave the prosecution a tactical advantage.. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Judiciary Courts of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. Bakker, who remains on the 48th Circuit Court bench, became Allegan County's first female circuit court judge when she won election to the position in 2010. The murder was onlyconnected to Bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the decades-old case. Michigan Court of Appeals YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Montenegro said the agreement calls for Field to be sentenced to a term of probation, a county jail sentence not to exceed one year and no requirement to register as a sex offender. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. .courts-container hr {background-color:#f0a236;padding-bottom:2px;}, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Michigan Supreme Court Jan Murray. On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. Briefs in the case are expected to be filed within the coming months, at which point oral arguments will be scheduled. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. Recount in Allegan County prosecutor race confirms same winner by 17 votes, Judge said man who killed 3 women should never go free but felon seeking parole after 48 years, Family of WMU student slain in 1972 awaits killers parole ruling. Michigan Circuit Court In response to the allegations brought by Loews attorney, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Molly Schikora said the three emails sent by the judge had no bearing on the case and were not intended to help the prosecution. Have a news tip? While he was a prosecutorinthe Allegan County Prosecutor's Office, he participated in discussions about the unsolved disappearance of Aundria Bowman with the Allegan County Sheriff's Office and a cold-case panel of other prosecutors and detectives in Lansing. He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Contact 48th Judicial Circuit Court 113 Chestnut St. Allegan, MI 49010 (269) 673-0300 Judges Honorable Roberts Kengis Chief Circuit Court Judge Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Circuit Court Judge Honorable Michael Buck Presiding Family Court Judge The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. In the motion for a new trial, the Defense team did not allege nor did the Judge cite any actual bias or impact on the integrity of the trial based on those communications.. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. In Wednesday's announcement, the state Supreme Court said it would hear the appeal, but would limit the scope to the ex parte communications between Bakker and Koch, whether they were administrative in nature and whether Loew is entitled to a new trial.
Sol, Luna Y Ascendente De Mi Signo,
Baylor St Luke's Medical Group Epic Pp Pay Bill,
New Laws Passed In California 2022,
Articles J