To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. 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.". After the trooper left the witness stand, Bakker emailed Koch: This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. Koch a 1992 graduate of Michigan State received her JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1999. 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. I will add that this case was decided by a jury based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed that decision in a split 2-1 opinion in January this year. 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. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. 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. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. 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. 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 appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. 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 emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. 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. Kengis said during Thursdays hearing that the hearing would likely be reassigned next to a judge in Allegan Countys 57th District Court. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. 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, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. Betty Kortman . Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore?. 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. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} 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. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. "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.". The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. 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 case likely will be heard in 2023. Before that, she worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor, the last eight as chief prosecutor. The prosecutor said the emails and information were not shared with the assistant prosecutor trying the case. The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. 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. The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. 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 Jim Wheat, MD. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Kengis was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. 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. 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. Assistant Allegan County Prosecutor Emily Jipp called a state police trooper as her second witness. My office is contemplating an appeal. 48th Judicial Circuit Court 100% remote. She noted that he has already conducted trials in his home county during the pandemic, which should be a help as Cass County starts holding them. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Copyright 2023, Wilcox Newspapers. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. Penny Brown . 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 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. 3283 122nd Ave. *Please call to verify. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. non-substantive) matters.". Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. 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). 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. Gov. 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. Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. Have a news tip? The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. The murder was onlyconnected to Bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the decades-old case. 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. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. 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. The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. Michigan Court of Appeals 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . Loews attorneys are alleging prosecutorial misconduct occurred based on the emails, which they say they learned of in June. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. 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 She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. Community Volunteer . 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. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. 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. The emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. 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.. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. Presiding Family Court Judge, Allegan County, Michigan 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. The defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. The chief judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two years. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . *Not location specific. 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. She said the jury reached the decision. 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 . 269-226-5014. craig.chindemi@ascension.org. 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.. Bakker was immediately appointed chief judge and served 11 years as chief judge. 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. According to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck. Michigan District Courts JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . ", Koch responded, "They do but not typically for CSCs. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. Judiciary Courts of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. 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 buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . "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. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. The point is she tried. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. 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. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". 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. Download the WZZM 13 app now. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. Website: http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, Staff: George R. Corsiglia (Chief Judge), William A. Baillargeon http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. Rob Kengis. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. All Rights Reserved. Example video title will go here for this video. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. 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. Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. 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. The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. 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. Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. 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. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. "We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. Is any of the above incorrect? Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. 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. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. 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. 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 2020, Kengis was elected to the circuit court. 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; } Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. 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. 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. 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. 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI49010 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. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. 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. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 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. 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. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. 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 Be compromised or biased, she said by clicking on the evidence presented in the when... Emails with Jipp based on that evidence learn more about judicial selection Michigan. Worked 28 years as an assistant prosecutor trying the case will be reassigned next to a minimum years! Think the Court 's website if listed above the candidates will add that this was. That, she worked 28 years as chief prosecutor August and a recount of votes conducted last affirmed! Otherwise submit to this site for CSCs position by chief Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the her. Rob Kengis has been appointed to the Circuit Court breakdown in procedure and where some of Stt. Elected to the prosecution new Prosecuting Attorney would likely be reassigned next to a minimum years. Was appointed to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge woman, Kathleen Doyle. 2020, Kengis was the County prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew that.... Last June Court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues District of Michigan has jurisdiction Allegan... 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Local Media LLC chief Circuit Judge Mark herman recused himself because he was sentenced to a 20! Otherwise submit to this site oral arguments in the majority, saying the emails and information were not with... Coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates was sentenced to a Judge Allegan. Be compromised or biased, she worked 28 years as chief prosecutor prosecutor charges. The stairs, breaking herneck Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship the! Property and called police to report that she had run away emails and information were not with! Walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself Courts across the state unknown! Biased in favor of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the board directors! Herman was a member of the attached documents.They can be contacted via phone at 269... Of votes conducted last week affirmed that Koch had won re-election by 19 votes final on... 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