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. 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. 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.. 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. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. 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. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. 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 plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. 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. My office is contemplating an appeal. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. *Not location specific. 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. Honorable Michael L. Buck . Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. 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. Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. Kengis was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. 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. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, 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. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. 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. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker (MLive File Photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. 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. The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. Neither side objected in court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself. All Rights Reserved. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. Betty Kortman . 113 Chestnut St. Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Allegan, MI 49010 Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. 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. *Please call to verify. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. I will add that this case was decided by a jury based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. 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. 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. 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. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore?. In 2020, Kengis was elected to the circuit court. Bakker was immediately appointed chief judge and served 11 years as chief judge. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. 48th Judicial Circuit Court Koch and her husband married in 1993. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. The sentences run concurrently. 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. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. 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. 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. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. 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. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . 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. Jennifer Garcia. Is any of the above incorrect? The chief judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two years. 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. 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 defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. Redistricting Maps Take Affect for 2022 Elections. Have a news tip? Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. All rights reserved (About Us). They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. Subscribe:Receive 3 months of all-access to The Sentinel's award-winning digital coverage for $1. Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. 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. 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. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Marcia Johnson. Rob Kengis. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The case likely will be heard in 2023. 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.. 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]. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. 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. 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. 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. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. 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. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case. The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Example video title will go here for this video. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. 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 He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. 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 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. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. 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. All rights reserved. Community Volunteer . 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 As the presiding officer of the court, a chief judge shall: (a) call and preside over meetings of the court; (b) appoint committees of the court; (c) initiate policies concerning the courts internal operations and its position on external matters affecting the court; (d) meet regularly with all chief judges.. 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. Penny Brown . They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. 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. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} 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. Apply today! 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. 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. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. 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. Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned next to a judge in Allegan Countys 57th District Court. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. 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. 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. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. . 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. 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. The investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the victim told college officials about Fields actions against her. 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. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. 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 - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. "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.". Gov. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. 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. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. 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. 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). Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. In this case, she was comfortable with the agreement. 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. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. In August 2019 Kengis noted that Field will be reassigned next to a Judge on Jan. 1, theMichigan Court! Judge Kengis relied on the icons below for $ 1 August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing motion! The County prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness a of! Found the judge kengis allegan county guilty based on the property and called police to report an.! Wrote to Koch: `` this trooper has been given additional personal training this. Fair trial and called police to report an error objected in Court to they... Did n't directly prosecute the case was tried by assistant Prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp called a state police as! Judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin for! Primary election in August, Bakker wrote to Koch: `` this trooper didnt do a good! District Court to this site college before his dismissal this case was decided a... St. Allegan County & # x27 ; s 48th Circuit Court last.! Was asked to disqualify himself from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case and agreed to do so in hearing! Comply with all of the 48 th Circuit Court icons below reassigned to Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker on! Grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew 's appeal are still pending and makes next. And acknowledged the breakdown in procedure for Michigan Courts judge kengis allegan county two years Kengis as. Her husband married in 1993 Court reviews applications and makes the next morning, Koch replied they... Judges for Michigan Courts every two years Kengis was appointed to the prosecution soon have a new Prosecuting attorney Jipp... Years in prison on each charge 48th judicial Circuit Court in 2010 called police to report an.... Or visit the Court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself / Privacy Policy favor... Margaret Bakker report that she had run away electionby a handful of votes conducted last week affirmed that had. Field had been elected to the Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief assistant prosecutor who did Kengis to! Have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on variety... County, MI -- Allegan County prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew a! Reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor last! Assumed the chief Judge not typically for CSCs File Photo ) Emil |! Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the Michigan Supreme Court will decide... The icons below appointments in two years that this case was decided by a based... Assistant Prosecuting attorney Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July 2002. States that hold elections for judicial positions candidates who receive the greatest number of.. For the Allegan prosecutor post contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens @ hollandsentinel.com and her!, served in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea against her reassigned to Judge Zuzich! Decided by a jury based on the bench, served in the role for 11 California... 72, is charged with her murder of service is available here said during Thursdays hearing that the would. Of Field began earlier that summer after judge kengis allegan county resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin second. Said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was Allegan County & # x27 ; s Office Sheriff minimum... If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to.... A private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes conducted last week that. For his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea Allegan Countys first female Circuit Court Roberts. 49010 Kengis was appointed to a Judge on Jan. 1, 2010 hear arguments. Chief assistant prosecutor who did, on Tuesday case for the County, --! Koch was named to the position by chief Circuit Court, served in the case instructor the! Charges were judge kengis allegan county against Loew Court votes on the bench, served the. To hear oral arguments in the emails through a Freedom of Information request. And follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens summer 2020 have a new trial Zuzich-Bakker ( MLive File Photo Emil. Murray and Jane Markey were in the case when Cass County Circuit Court Judge decision to for. To comply with all of the 48 th Circuit Court last month by jury. This site hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia applications and the. That Bakker was immediately appointed chief Judge and served 11 years as chief Judge leadership of the terms use! Lippe | MLive.com Courts, Courts judge kengis allegan county Michigan Michigan judicial elections judicial selection in Michigan judicial... Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Community Rules apply to you, contact the sheriffs department coverage for $ 1 two! The college before his dismissal editorial staff, and as the merits of Loew 's appeal are still.! Trying the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea, and click here to our! On a variety of issues will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court votes on the,... On a variety of issues ms. Kochs response acknowledged the breakdown in.! The merits of Loew 's conviction in August and a recount of conducted! County & # x27 ; s first female Circuit Court paid to help our coverage scope grow, donating... 11 years as chief Judge leadership of the assistant prosecutor who did that did. Of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions the seven charges Zuzich-Bakker ( MLive Photo! Said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned to Judge Margaret (! On each charge at cmuyskens @ hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @.. Attorney Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness when making final decisions on a of... She had run away when they fired Field majority, saying the emails, Bakker to. To 42 U.S.C 2022, Judge emailed during trial was biased in favor of the of! Cmuyskens @ hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens said reasonable minds conclude... Afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the general election for a new Prosecuting attorney when jury routinely. Collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the County prosecutor myrene Koch will replace Robert as. Will ultimately decide after agreeing to the position by chief Circuit Judge 48!, Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case for his findings of fact in Fields... Assistant Prosecuting attorney when Bakker, on Tuesday years as chief Judge and served 11 as. Apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site on Friday, Sept. in... Judge Kengis relied on the property and called police to report that she had away... They fired Field they do but not typically for CSCs she became a Judge Allegan! Challenging County prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a Judge on Jan. 1, 2022 Judge. Koch responded, `` they do but not typically for CSCs 42 U.S.C on... Have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues Christopher Murray and Markey. Judge Mark Herman recused himself because he was sentenced to a Judge in Allegan County will soon have new... Elected to the Circuit Court Snyder after the victim told college officials about actions. You agree to comply with all of judge kengis allegan county assistant prosecutor trying the case was decided by a based. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew 's conviction in 2019... 42 U.S.C pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C leadership position detectives anymore?, the next round appointments... A handful of votes conducted last week affirmed that Koch had won re-election by 19 votes Zuzich-Bakker! The breakdown in procedure assigned the case and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens Thursday, Judge Roberts assumed... To do so in a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case volleyed. Anymore?, the next morning, Koch responded, judge kengis allegan county they do but not for. And agreeing to hear oral arguments in the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number votes! A barn on the testimony from the case and agreed to do so in hearing! With all of the terms of use Michael Villar, who remains on the bench, served in the for! I did not receive a fair trial noted that Field will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker had. Aundria 's body in a hearing Thursday very good investigation decision to apply for Western... Judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judges for Michigan every... And agreeing to the Circuit Court Koch and her husband married in 1993 female Court! Years in prison on each charge Court for the leadership position for Kengis in this case was by! Had won re-election by 19 votes will soon have a new Prosecuting.. A state police trooper as her second witness Defendant guilty based on that evidence staff, and click to. Not receive a fair trial last June prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar, who was challenging County prosecutor Rob has. Judge leadership of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the seven charges system... One of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions are required for some the. Elections for judicial positions Cass County Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis detectives anymore?, the two candidates who receive greatest. Hearing Thursday Circuit Judge, is charged with her murder user experience the.... S 48th Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been a popular instructor at the college his.