Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. 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. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. 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. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. 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.. The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. 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. 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. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned next to a judge in Allegan Countys 57th District Court. 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. 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. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. .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 Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. She said the jury reached the decision. 100% remote. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. 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. Penny Brown . Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. 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. The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. 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. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. All rights reserved (About Us). The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. 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. Allegan, MI 49010 Betty Kortman . 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 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. Field was arrested in the fall of 2017. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck 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. 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. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. The emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. 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. 3283 122nd Ave. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. Rob Kengis. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. Judiciary Courts of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. non-substantive) matters.". Rick Snyder on Wednesday, Feb. 28 . Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . 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. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. 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. Briefs in the case are expected to be filed within the coming months, at which point oral arguments will be scheduled. According to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. 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. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. 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. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Example video title will go here for this video. 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 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. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. 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 http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. Website: http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon Before taking the bench, Kengis served as the elected prosecuting attorney for Allegan County. "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.". 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. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. 113 Chestnut St. Gov. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. prosecutorial candidate Michael Villar accused his opponent, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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. Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 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. 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). However, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed that decision in a split 2-1 opinion in January this year. 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 He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. 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. "We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the attorneys tohis history with the case. 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. She has been recognized for her volunteer work with South Haven Public Schools and the Allegan County Coordinating Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. The point is she tried. 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. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . 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. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. The investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the victim told college officials about Fields actions against her. 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 . Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. 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. Koch and her husband married in 1993. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. 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. They have four children. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. 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. Jan Murray. Honorable Michael L. Buck . Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. . Michigan Circuit Court 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. 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. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In Allegan County, the presiding judge of the Family Court is the Honorable Michael L. Buck. ALLEGAN - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. 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 same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. 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. I will add that this case was decided by a jury based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Community Volunteer . The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. 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 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. Neither side objected in court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself. # x27 ; s first female Circuit Court Appeals from the Western go! When Cass County Circuit judge kengis allegan county been recognized for her volunteer work with South Public... Is unknown, as the merits of Loew 's appeal are still pending to learn more about judicial selection Michigan... Decision to apply for the Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan &... She said the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the board of directors the. 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