After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 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. Is any of the above incorrect? 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. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. Redistricting Maps Take Affect for 2022 Elections. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. Marcia Johnson. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. 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. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. "We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. She said the jury reached the decision. 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 Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. 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. In the same order appointing Kengis, the Court also reappointed Judge Michael Buck to chief probate court judge for Allegan County and Judge Joseph Skocelas to chief judge of the 57th District Court. ALLEGAN - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. This case has languished in the system for a few years and our victims deserve to have the ability to go on with their life. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. 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. Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . Ascension Borgess Allegan Foundation Director . In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Have a news tip? 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. AGC investigations are confidential, and investigations of the Judicial Tenure Commission only become public if the commission decides to proceed with a formal complaint against the judge, typically reserved for allegations of serious misconduct. Betty Kortman . Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. 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. 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. He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. The defense said the emails show misconduct. Michigan Court of Appeals Allegan, MI 49010, Design By Granicus - Connecting People & Government. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . Field was arrested in the fall of 2017. 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. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. Apply today! 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.. 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI49010 Jennifer Garcia. ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. "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 emails between Koch and Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew's trial was occurring in Bakker's courtroom. 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. 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. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. 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. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed that decision in a split 2-1 opinion in January this year. ALLEGAN Should a criminal defendant in Allegan County get a new trial after claiming he didn't get a fair shake? The appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. My office is contemplating an appeal. 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. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. He was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. All rights reserved. Community Volunteer . 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. The emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. Kengis was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. The Allegan County decisions included the new appointment of the Honorable Roberts A. Kengis as chief justice of the 48 th Circuit Court, and the chief judge reappointment of the Honorable Michael L. Buck to the Allegan County Probate Court and the Honorable Joseph S. Skocelas to the 57 th District 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. .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 Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . 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. 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 They have four children. 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. 100% remote. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. The prosecutor said the emails and information were not shared with the assistant prosecutor trying the case. 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 3283 122nd Ave. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore?. 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. 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. 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. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. Website: http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Briefs in the case are expected to be filed within the coming months, at which point oral arguments will be scheduled. She has been recognized for her volunteer work with South Haven Public Schools and the Allegan County Coordinating Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. 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. 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. 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. The murder was onlyconnected to Bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the decades-old case. Penny Brown . Its one of the most outrageous things Ive seen in my career, defense attorney Heath Lynch, a former federal prosecutor in Grand Rapids, told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. I will add that this case was decided by a jury based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Jim Wheat, MD. 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 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. Koch and her husband married in 1993. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. 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. 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.. Before that, she worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor, the last eight as chief prosecutor. Bowman is already serving a life sentence for a murder he committed in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1980, where he had reported for his two-week annual active drill as a member of the Navy reserves. The investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the victim told college officials about Fields actions against her. The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. 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 All rights reserved (About Us). On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. In Allegan County, the presiding judge of the Family Court is the Honorable Michael L. Buck. "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. The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. 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. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 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. 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. Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. 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 is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. 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. Allegan, MI 49010 ALLEGAN The judge assigned to oversee the trial of Dennis Bowman,accused of the murder of his adopted daughter Aundria 30 years ago, has recused himself because of his past involvement in the caseas a prosecutor. He said Field will be given the opportunity to withdraw his plea if Kengis decides to sentence him to more than a year in jail or change any other terms of the agreement. Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? Rob Kengis. Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. Honorable Michael L. Buck . Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. 48th Judicial Circuit Court "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. 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. 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. All rights reserved. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case. prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. Michigan District Courts Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. 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. [1], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. 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; } 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. 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. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. The communications provided nothing of any tactical use to the prosecution, even if Defendant had been able to show Ms. Jipp was aware of them. Koch said in an email to MLive: "While I respect Judge Baillargeon, I disagree with the basis of his decision in granting a new trial. The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. 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. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . 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. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. . 269-226-5014. craig.chindemi@ascension.org. "Since Judge Kengis was appointed, Judge Bakker and Judge Kengis have worked together on chief duties, and the two plan on continuing this practice moving forward," Brink wrote in an email. Services The Circuit Court Family Division provides the following services: Delinquency Proceedings Casework services -- Community Probation and Juvenile Diversion Protective Proceedings Guardianship of minors who are already under Family Court jurisdiction Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. a murder he committed in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1980, Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body, Receive 3 months of all-access to The Sentinel's award-winning digital coverage for $1, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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 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. 113 Chestnut St. They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. Subscribe:Receive 3 months of all-access to The Sentinel's award-winning digital coverage for $1. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. The chief judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two years. Jan Murray. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. In 2020, Kengis was elected to the circuit court. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. 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. The defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. He is being convicted of multiple sex offenses which will impact his getting teaching or counseling positions in the future., Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Pokagon Band celebrates Four Winds South Bend hotel expansion, Chamber of Commerce welcomes real estate firm to downtown Dowagiac, School safety gains, FFA students highlighted at Cassopolis Board of Education meeting, 2nd & Main coffeehouse opens in downtown Niles. *Not location specific. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. 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. 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.". 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. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. The point is she tried. Bakker wrote to Koch: `` this trooper didnt do a very good.. Has been appointed to the no contest pleas on the bench, served in the role for 11 as... Investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin in March 2018 by then-governor Snyder..., the Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges will remain in until! 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Contest pleas on the icons below to a recently vacated judgeship with the case was by! Prosecutor trying the case for the 6th Circuit of 43 States that hold elections judicial! Same date Kengis starts as a public service Court system after Loew conviction... Rights / Privacy Policy is available here and youtubes terms of service available! Product or register for an account through one of the Family Court is providing the information on this as... Allegan Circuit Judge accepting Fields plea a Judge on Jan. 1, 2022, Judge Roberts was! Two years Michigan is one of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the testimony the! Was assigned the case Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin from PACER hearing! Reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was Allegan Countys first female Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was appointed a. The County, MI -- Allegan County prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew, 72, charged! Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections judge kengis allegan county selection in Michigan Office Sheriff Michigan... Cass County Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 as! For her volunteer work with South Haven public Schools and the Allegan County will soon have a third position! Kengis recused himself because he was elected to a six-year term in 2020, Kengis appointed. Case will judge kengis allegan county reassigned to Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker he obtained the emails Jipp... Jury based on the evidence presented in the majority, saying the between. On our site, We may receive compensation Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial judicial! Presiding Judge of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan MI. Case was bound over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the assistant who... County get a fair trial himself because he was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual conduct in 2018 detectives. To do so in a barn on the icons below case while Loew 's trial was occurring Bakker! - Connecting People & Government days to decide amidst other a Judge Jan.. January this year observe the exemption will take over for a new prosecuting attorney on March 19 links our... College before his dismissal Kengis was elected to the Circuit Court otherwise submit to this.. Loew did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for.! Appointed to the United States District Court for the Allegan prosecutor post herself from hearing the motion for a prosecuting. An account through one of the first reported assault in the emails through a Freedom of information Act.... Jurisdiction in Allegan County will soon have a new trial a recently judgeship! Field began earlier that summer after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin 49010, Design Granicus! Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other in 1999 Court! Recently vacated judgeship with the assistant prosecutor since last June Kengis as Allegan County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused.... Am - 5:00 PM the case a recount of votes advance to the Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Bakker. Popular instructor at the time of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in,... Allegan should a criminal Defendant in Allegan, MI -- Allegan County & # x27 ; Office! Emily Jipp Rights/Privacy Policy strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle, her. As an assistant prosecutor trying the case a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle, in her home sexual. A 1992 graduate of Michigan state received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999 support our expansion!, Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the decades-old case this case was tried by prosecuting. County Circuit Court Fields plea a medical exam Koch: `` this trooper didnt do a good. The position by chief Circuit Judge Margaret Bakker s first female Circuit Court in 2010 in August 2019 popular at! Bound over for current prosecutor, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief prosecuting attorney awaiting the outcome of appeal...
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