Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. 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 Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. 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. Briefs in the case are expected to be filed within the coming months, at which point oral arguments will be scheduled. 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 . Neither side objected in court to Kengis'decision to recuse himself. Subscribe:Receive 3 months of all-access to The Sentinel's award-winning digital coverage for $1. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. 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. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. 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. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. Presiding Family Court Judge, Allegan County, Michigan 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. 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. .courts-header { font-size:150%;background-color:#334aab;color:white;} Redistricting Maps Take Affect for 2022 Elections. She said the counseling took place there and the sexual relations at Fields home next door to the center. The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 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.. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. 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 The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. The prosecutor said the emails and information were not shared with the assistant prosecutor trying the case. http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. The point is she tried. Gov. . 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. All rights reserved. The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. 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; } 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. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. 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. 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. Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker 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. 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. 48th Judicial Circuit Court Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial, Man wins new trial over email exchange between judge, prosecutor, Judges recused from hearing mans request for new trial, Allegan man says judge, prosecutor denied him a fair trial, Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Betty Kortman . 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. He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. Michigan Court of Appeals His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. Loews attorneys are alleging prosecutorial misconduct occurred based on the emails, which they say they learned of in June. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. Rob Kengis. 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 The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. 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. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. Dobrich said Allegan Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis will preside over the trial, which will take place in Cassopolis. Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. 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. We routinely discuss cases with the victims, said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[2]. Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Allegan, MI 49010, Design By Granicus - Connecting People & Government. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. She said the jury reached the decision. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 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 case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. Apply today! Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. 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.. 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. The emails between Koch and Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew's trial was occurring in Bakker's courtroom. 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. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. Roberts Kengis Circuit Court Judge at Allegan County Government Plainwell, Michigan, United States 781 followers 500+ connections Join to connect Allegan County Government Wayne State. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. Jennifer Garcia. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. The people of Allegan County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. 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. Michigan Circuit Court Community Volunteer . After the trooper left the witness stand, Bakker emailed Koch: This trooper didnt do a very good investigation. He was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. 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. non-substantive) matters.". Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. 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. 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. 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. On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th 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. The sentences run concurrently. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. "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.". He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. Is any of the above incorrect? The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. If any of these apply to you, contact the court to verify they observe the exemption. 113 Chestnut St. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. 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. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. 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 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. On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. 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. Soon after election, she was appointed as chief judge, a position she has held for 11 years. Ballotpedia features 395,436 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. 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 emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. 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. Have a news tip? Circuit Judge Roberts Kengis recused himself because he was the county prosecutor when charges were filed against Loew. 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. 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. 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. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. *Please call to verify. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. Judge Roberts Kengis is the new chief judge of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County. *Not location specific. 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 Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . .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 Community Volunteer . The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. Beginning January 1, 2022, Judge Roberts Kengis assumed the chief judge leadership of the 48 th Circuit Court. 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. 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. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. The Michigan Supreme Court votes on the appointment of chief judges for Michigan courts every two years. 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. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. The appointment was made by the Michigan Supreme Court after reviewing applications completed by the candidates. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. 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. In Allegan County, the presiding judge of the Family Court is the Honorable Michael L. Buck. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. 269-226-5014. [email protected]. "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. Michigan District Courts The investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the victim told college officials about Fields actions against her. 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. 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. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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 half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. 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. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. I will add that this case was decided by a jury based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. Download the WZZM 13 app now. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . 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 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 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.". 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. They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. 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. 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. 57th District Court Honorable Joseph S . 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. 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. 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