Neither side objected in court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself. 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 jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Before taking the bench, Kengis served as the elected prosecuting attorney for Allegan County. In this case, she was comfortable with the agreement. After the trooper left the witness stand, Bakker emailed Koch: This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Community Volunteer . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. 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. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. The investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the victim told college officials about Fields actions against her. Website: http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. 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. Field was arrested in the fall of 2017. Honorable Michael L. Buck . The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. 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. Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. The emails between Koch and Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew's trial was occurring in Bakker's courtroom. Michigan Court of Appeals The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. 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. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. 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. All rights reserved. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. Dobrich said Allegan Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis will preside over the trial, which will take place in Cassopolis. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. Penny Brown . Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . Download the WZZM 13 app now. The defense said the emails show misconduct. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore?. Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 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. 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. 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. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. Kengis was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Redistricting Maps Take Affect for 2022 Elections. 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 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. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . Ex parte translates from Latin to mean out of the party; in the context of the legal system, it is communication about a case between a judge and one sides attorney that occurs without the other partys counsel present. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. All Rights Reserved. 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.". 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.. 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 Jim Wheat, MD. Loews attorneys are alleging prosecutorial misconduct occurred based on the emails, which they say they learned of in June. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. After serving as the elected prosecuting attorney for the county, Kengis appointment to the circuit court occurred in March of 2018 by then Governor Rick Snyder when Judge Kevin Cronin resigned. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. The emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. Before that, she worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor, the last eight as chief prosecutor. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. 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. 100% remote. 269-226-5014. craig.chindemi@ascension.org. 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. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. *Not location specific. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. 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 Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} Judge Roberts Kengis is the new chief judge of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County. Michigan Circuit Court Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. *Please call to verify. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker (MLive File Photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com. 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. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. Koch and her husband married in 1993. Contact 48th Judicial Circuit Court 113 Chestnut St. Allegan, MI 49010 (269) 673-0300 Judges Honorable Roberts Kengis Chief Circuit Court Judge Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Circuit Court Judge Honorable Michael Buck Presiding Family Court Judge The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. ALLEGAN - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. Marcia Johnson. ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. 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 emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. 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.. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. 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 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 Circuit Court Judge. My office is contemplating an appeal. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. 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. 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. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. 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 Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. 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. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. They have four children. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . Briefs in the case are expected to be filed within the coming months, at which point oral arguments will be scheduled. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. 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. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. 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. Michigan District Courts Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. The defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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.. Ascension Borgess Allegan Foundation Director . Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. Rick Snyder on Wednesday, Feb. 28 . The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. 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. Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. "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. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. 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. 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. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. The appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. 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). 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 . Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. 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. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. 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. 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. He was sentenced to a six-year term in 2020 has volleyed around the higher system... 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