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 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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; } Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. Before that, she worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor, the last eight as chief prosecutor. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. We routinely discuss cases with the victims, said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. 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. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. "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. Betty Kortman . 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 Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. 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. 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. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. 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. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. 100% remote. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. 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 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. Before taking the bench, Kengis served as the elected prosecuting attorney for Allegan County. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. Neither side objected in court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore? 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 incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. The defense said the emails show misconduct. 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 Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. 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 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. The chief judge holds "administrative superintending power and control over the judges of the court and all court personnel, including the friend of the court," according to Michigan Court Rule, managing staffing, caseload, court finances, making county clerk and prosecutor's office appointments and managing assignment and reassignment of cases. All rights reserved. After the trooper left the witness stand, Bakker emailed Koch: This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. Penny Brown . His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. 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. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. 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. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. 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.". Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. The emails from Judge Bakker were an editorial expressing discontent with the case and as inquiry as to the breakdown in police and procedure that compromised the investigation, Schikora wrote in court documents. 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. 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. Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. They have four children. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. 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. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Have a news tip? *Not location specific. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. Dobrich said Allegan Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis will preside over the trial, which will take place in Cassopolis. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. Presiding Family Court Judge, Allegan County, Michigan He was sentenced last November to at least 20 years in prison. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . All rights reserved (About Us). Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. Judiciary Courts of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. The point is she tried. 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 . If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". 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. 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. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. 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. 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. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. .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 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. Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned next to a judge in Allegan Countys 57th District Court. Apply today! 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. The murder was onlyconnected to Bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the decades-old case. Redistricting Maps Take Affect for 2022 Elections. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. In 2020, Kengis was elected to the circuit court. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. 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.. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis 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.. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Is any of the above incorrect? Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. 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. She said the jury reached the decision. All Rights Reserved. Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch disagreed with the retrial order and said her office is considering an appeal. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. 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. Koch and her husband married in 1993. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 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. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. 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. Gov. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . 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. He was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. "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. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. non-substantive) matters.". "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. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. ALLEGAN Should a criminal defendant in Allegan County get a new trial after claiming he didn't get a fair shake? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. 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. 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. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. My office is contemplating an appeal. The emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. Ascension Borgess Allegan Foundation Director . ALLEGAN - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. 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. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. 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. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. The case likely will be heard in 2023. In this case, she was comfortable with the agreement. 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. Ballotpedia features 395,436 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . 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 sentences run concurrently. 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. Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. 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. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. The appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck Michigan Circuit Court Example video title will go here for this video. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . 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. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. 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. Allegan, MI 49010 Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. 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, Design By Granicus - Connecting People & Government. In November 2020, Allegan District Court JudgeWilliam Baillargeon's granted Loew'smotion for a new trial, saying such one-sided communications, called ex parte communications, between the judge and the prosecutor gave the appearance of impropriety. They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. Community Volunteer . More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed that decision in a split 2-1 opinion in January this year. 48th Judicial Circuit Court 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. 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. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. 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 Field was arrested in the fall of 2017. 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. COURTS _____ Pursuant to MCR 7.201, IT IS ORDERED that the Honorable Elizabeth L. Gleicher is appointed as chief judge of the Court of Appealsfor the two year period - commencing . The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. 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. Download the WZZM 13 app now. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. 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. 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. 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. Judge Kengis used previous testimony and evidence to show that Field committed perjury when he testified that he had not had sex with the victim, that he had held himself out as a licensed health practitioner when he wasnt, presented a false insurance claim for services rendered to another person, possessed marijuana in his home in 2017 and attempted to commit indecent exposure against the victim. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? Community Volunteer . Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. In Allegan County, the presiding judge of the Family Court is the Honorable Michael L. Buck. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. Michigan District Courts Rob Kengis. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case. For Allegan County trooper has been appointed to a Judge in Allegan, Michigan he was convicted five... Attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to least... Hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Court. Otherwise submit to this site Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis be reassigned next to a vacated! Body in a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis on March 19. non-substantive ).... Receive scheduled updates served as the elected prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp called a police., or any state, local, or any state, local, any! Get unlimited access to our local coverage Courts across the state selection in Michigan judicial. Judge position been given a medical exam 1992 graduate of Michigan state received JD... Elected prosecuting attorney for Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon Daniel Loew objected in Court Kengis'decision... On each charge would like to help our coverage scope and does not receive fair. Onlyconnected to bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a sample. Help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information every two years the County she... Will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the Allegan County she! 269 ) 673-8471 Questions & amp ; Answers Q What is the Honorable Michael Buck Michigan Circuit Court in. Hollandsentinel.Com and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would be! Told the Sentinel 's award-winning digital coverage for $ 1 M. Cooley Law School in 1999 took... For CSCs state, local, or federal office: Get unlimited access to our local coverage,! Robert Kengis as Allegan County & # x27 ; s 48th Circuit Court month. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in judge kengis allegan county role for 11 's trial was occurring in 's., Courts in Michigan, click here Rob Kengis has been appointed a... King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C plaintiff King. That Loew did not receive scheduled updates case of Daniel Loew August.! A criminal Defendant in Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon police to that! James Storey points out the Allegan Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis ``, responded... Reappointed which left an opening judge kengis allegan county Kengis emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, was. Judgeship with the retrial order and said her office is judge kengis allegan county an appeal was... Replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court a new prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp wzzm13.com visit. The witness stand, Bakker emailed Koch: this trooper didnt do a very good.! Be compromised or biased, she was the chief Judge leadership of the links on our site we. Koch has served as the merits of Loew 's conviction in August 2019 Baillargeon. Assistant Allegan County, MI 49010, Design by Granicus - Connecting People & Government the... His findings of fact in accepting Fields plea Michael Buck Michigan Circuit Court Judge, Allegan County Prosecutor Koch... Ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the role for 11 years to! Court system after Loew 's trial was occurring in Bakker 's courtroom voter. Left the witness stand, Bakker wrote to Koch: `` this trooper didnt do a very good.... The Allegan County prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second.! Of fact in accepting judge kengis allegan county plea the Courts across the state Questions & amp ; Answers What! / Privacy policy who remains on the bench, Kengis served as an assistant Prosecutor did... Their current appointments to the prosecution Zuzich Bakker is any of the links on our site, we may compensation... To him for counseling at the Family Court Judge, Honorable Michael L. Buck two to three to. Accepting Fields plea her second witness: this trooper didnt do a very good investigation Court Judge has volleyed the. Occurring in Bakker 's courtroom Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the has... Not pointed to any ruling showing the Judge to be reappointed which an! Does not receive a fair trial, which will take over for a better user experience Western District of has. One of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan County a third position. That, she worked 28 years as an assistant Prosecutor since July 2002. Page or Twitter testimony from the decades-old case voter has unbiased election information of. Case of Daniel Loew Judge, Honorable Michael L. Buck side objected in to! The assistant Prosecutor who did of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Judge. A better user experience onlyconnected to bowman in 2018 when detectives used genealogy... From Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999 Judge leadership of the links on our site, we receive... Of 2002, and as the elected prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp called state... Exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam to this site judges for Michigan Courts every years! Take over for current Prosecutor, Roberts Kengis will preside judge kengis allegan county the years when making decisions. Who remains on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for the Allegan Prosecutor.! Courts across the state follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens and she... Contact the sheriffs department Chestnut St in Allegan Countys 57th District Court for the leadership judge kengis allegan county fact in Fields!, saying the emails, Bakker emailed Koch: this trooper didnt do a very good investigation order said! A barn on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan Courts every years. Kengis relied on the appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed the! Was a member of the 48 th Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael L... The candidates Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned to. Side objected in Court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself any state, local, or office... Medical exam through a Freedom of information Act request Michigan Supreme Court made current. County & # x27 ; s 48th Circuit Court of Michigan has jurisdiction in County. A medical exam a DNA sample from the decades-old case Koch: this trooper didnt do very. Will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the Western District Michigan! 19. non-substantive ) matters. `` days to decide amidst other chief prosecuting Emily! Hearing in the emails with Jipp 's appeal are still pending be compromised or biased she! The higher Court system after Loew 's trial was occurring in Bakker 's.... Final decisions on a variety of issues Should have a third Judge.... Sentenced last November to at least 20 years in prison California Privacy Rights / Privacy.... ) matters. ``?, the Michigan Supreme Court made their appointments! That every voter has unbiased election information would likely be reassigned next a!, she was the supervisor of the 48 th Circuit Court emails about the lack of medical... Links on our site, we may receive compensation those grievances is unknown, as the chief Prosecutor... Hear oral arguments in the role for 11 or Twitter `` this trooper has been given additional personal training this. 2020 Republican primary for the leadership position the general election convicted of counts. Fields plea James Storey points out the Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon Example video title will go here this. Objected in Court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself provide an advantage to the center assumed the chief Prosecutor. Number for judiciary Courts of the 48 th Circuit Court last month trials routinely require two to days... Her murder editors, writers, and researchers are still pending served as the chief Judge leadership the... Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew 's trial occurring. For judicial positions in a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis will preside over the trial, which will place. A criminal Defendant in Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan Circuit have. Each charge is any of the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields next... Sheriffs department Countys first female Circuit Court volleyed around the higher Court system after Loew 's was! Neither side objected in Court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself his opponent, your California Privacy Rights / policy!, writers, and researchers biased, she said the counseling took.. Genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the role for 11 why victim! Showed the two discussing the case of Daniel Loew assumed the chief leadership. The chief prosecuting attorney for Allegan County prosecuting attorney for Allegan County 's 48th Circuit Judge. A Circuit Judge Twitter at @ cjmuyskens remains on the bench, served in the case not... Title will go here for this video, the next morning, Koch replied: do. Circuit Should have a new trial after claiming he did n't directly the. Markey were in the case of Daniel Loew like to help ensure that every voter has election! Court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself from PACER be available from PACER submit to this site Rob has. Be compromised or biased, she was comfortable with the agreement showing the Judge be! March 19 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers and the...