Judge denies second recusal motion in Perry child abuse case

The Associated Press - June 3, 2017 10:07 am

Judge denies second recusal motion in Perry child abuse case
(Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com)
PERRY, Okla. (AP) – An Oklahoma judge won’t recuse himself from a Perry school child abuse case for a second time, even though his daughter-in-law worked with the defendants.
The Oklahoman reports that Noble County Judge Nikki G. Leach denied District Attorney Brian Hermanson’s request that Leach remove himself at a hearing Wednesday for former Upper Elementary School principal Kenda Miller.
Leach previously denied a similar motion for former math teacher Jeffrey Sullins.
Miller and Sullins are charged with misdemeanors for allegedly failing to promptly report child abuse after several girls levied accusations against teaching assistant Arnold Cowen. Cowen is now facing 18 counts of lewd or indecent proposals or acts on a child.
Prosecutors say Cowen “directly recruited” Leach’s daughter-in-law to volunteer at the school, and that the judge has shown bias to Sullins.
Leach recused himself from Cowen’s case.

 

Latest Stories

Cowboys fall 83-62 to Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Ezra Ausar had a season-high 21 points, sophomores Keanu Dawes and...

No. 17 Sooners remain winless in SEC, fall 72-62 to Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Dakota Leffew and Asa Newell each scored 15 points and Georgia held...

Heard scores 18, OSU women continue hot start with 64-57 win over No. 17 West Virginia

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Stailee Heard scored 18 points and Oklahoma State made the clutch plays...