The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore? All Rights Reserved. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. The case likely will be heard in 2023. 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 noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. 3283 122nd Ave. "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.". 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. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. Rick Snyder on Wednesday, Feb. 28 . [1], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. 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.. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. 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. 269-226-5014. craig.chindemi@ascension.org. Allegan, MI 49010 Before that, she worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor, the last eight as chief prosecutor. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. 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. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. Koch and her husband married in 1993. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI49010 Ascension Borgess Allegan Foundation Director . My office is contemplating an appeal. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. 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.. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. 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 Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. All rights reserved. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. 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. 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. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. *Please call to verify. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. The chief judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two years. The emails between Koch and Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew's trial was occurring in Bakker's courtroom. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. .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 Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. 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. 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. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. 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 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. The sentences run concurrently. The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. 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. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. . After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. 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; } Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). The appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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