"We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. 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 will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. 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. Community Volunteer . Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 269-226-5014. craig.chindemi@ascension.org. "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. 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. 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.. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis
Is any of the above incorrect? Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. "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 status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. 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 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. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. Allegan, MI 49010, Design By Granicus - Connecting People & Government. Field was arrested in the fall of 2017. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. Allegan, MI 49010
Jim Wheat, MD. 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. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. The murder was onlyconnected to Bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the decades-old case. http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. 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. According to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. 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. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. 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.. 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.. 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. 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. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. 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 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. Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker
Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. 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 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. . The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. 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 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. 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). Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned next to a judge in Allegan Countys 57th District Court. Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. 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. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. 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 Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Dobrich said Allegan Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis will preside over the trial, which will take place in Cassopolis. Michigan District Courts We routinely discuss cases with the victims, said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. George Field, 60, of Dowagiac, had been scheduled to face trial starting Monday in Cass County Circuit Court on 17 criminal sexual conduct, insurance fraud and perjury charges. The point is she tried. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. Soon after election, she was appointed as chief judge, a position she has held for 11 years. She has been recognized for her volunteer work with South Haven Public Schools and the Allegan County Coordinating Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. She said the jury reached the decision. *Please call to verify. 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. Jennifer Garcia. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. All rights reserved. All rights reserved (About Us). 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. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker (MLive File Photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com. Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. In this case, she was comfortable with the agreement. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. 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 was elected to a six-year term in 2020. On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. 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. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 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. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. 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. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Download the WZZM 13 app now. Koch and her husband married in 1993. Penny Brown . The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. ALLEGAN Should a criminal defendant in Allegan County get a new trial after claiming he didn't get a fair shake? If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. 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 She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. 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. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. 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 was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Bakker was immediately appointed chief judge and served 11 years as chief judge. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. 100% remote. 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. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. 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