Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. 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. The case likely will be heard in 2023. *county-courthouse.com is not affiliated with the Official US Government, or any state, local, or federal office. Jim Wheat, MD. Soon after election, she was appointed as chief judge, a position she has held for 11 years. 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 victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. 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. 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 The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. 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. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. *Not location specific. 113 Chestnut St. 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. The defense has not pointed to any ruling showing the judge to be compromised or biased, she said. Koch has served as an assistant prosecutor since July of 2002, and as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor since last June. He was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. Penny Brown . 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 Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. 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). Judiciary Courts of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. I will add that this case was decided by a jury based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. They have four children. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. Villar, a private practice attorney, later lost the electionby a handful of votes. 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. Loews attorneys are alleging prosecutorial misconduct occurred based on the emails, which they say they learned of in June. 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. The Michigan Supreme Court will ultimately decide after agreeing to hear oral arguments in the case of Daniel Loew. Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. 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. Presiding Family Court Judge, Allegan County, Michigan 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.. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. 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. 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. Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch disagreed with the retrial order and said her office is considering an appeal. Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore? He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. The prosecutor said the emails and information were not shared with the assistant prosecutor trying the case. The emails between Koch and Judge Margaret Bakker showed the two discussing the case while Loew's trial was occurring in Bakker's courtroom. He is being convicted of multiple sex offenses which will impact his getting teaching or counseling positions in the future., Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Pokagon Band celebrates Four Winds South Bend hotel expansion, Chamber of Commerce welcomes real estate firm to downtown Dowagiac, School safety gains, FFA students highlighted at Cassopolis Board of Education meeting, 2nd & Main coffeehouse opens in downtown Niles. 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. 48th Judicial Circuit Court According to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck. Rick Snyder on Wednesday, Feb. 28 . 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. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . http://www.allegancounty.org/Government/CC/Index.asp?pt=, The Public Access to Court Records (PACER), 36th Judicial Circuit Court Van Buren County. Judge Kengis relied on the testimony from the 2018 preliminary hearing in the case for his findings of fact in accepting Fields plea. 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 A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . 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. 100% remote. 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. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . 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 Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. 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. Koch previously told The Sentinel she never discussed the emails with Jipp. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. 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. 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. In the emails, Bakker wrote to Koch: "This trooper didnt do a very good 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. 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. Bowman told detectives thaton the day he reported 14-year-old Aundria missing, March 11, 1989, he came home to find Aundria had broken into her parents' room, normally kept locked, and was getting ready to run away. 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. This collaboration will continue as Bakker supported Kengis decision to apply for the leadership position. 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 Jan Murray. Example video title will go here for this video. 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.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. All rights reserved. "Maybe it wasn't the case, but it creates the appearance of coaching, or at least flagging, 'This is something you're going to need to address,' and that's my worry," Baillargeon said. Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. 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. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. 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.. In this case, she was comfortable with the agreement. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He obtained the emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. My office is contemplating an appeal. Community Volunteer . 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. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. The point is she tried. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore?. Jury trials routinely require two to three days to decide amidst other . (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis They began investigating and recommended she contact the sheriffs department. 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. All Rights Reserved. He buried Aundria's body on their property, later moving her body when the Bowmans moved from Holland to the Hamilton area shortly afterward. The Michigan Supreme Court made their current appointments to the courts across the state. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. The emails were unearthed by Allegan-based attorney Michael Villar, who was challenging County Prosecutor Myrene Koch's re-election bid in summer 2020. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. Download the WZZM 13 app now. He was sentenced last November to at least 20 years in prison. Hours: Open Weekdays 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Gov. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker (MLive File Photo)Emil Lippe | MLive.com. Betty Kortman . Bakker was Allegan Countys first female circuit court judge. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 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. *Please call to verify. 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. His case was bound over for a jury trial in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court last month. Kengis was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Allegan County will soon have a new Prosecuting Attorney. Judiciary Courts of the Stt can be contacted via phone at (269) 673-8471 for pricing, hours and directions. "We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. 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. The half hour hearing Friday afternoon featured Field being sworn in and agreeing to the no contest pleas on the seven charges. Bowman strangled and stabbed a 25-year-old woman, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle,in her home. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI49010 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.. The incidents occurred between September 2015 and early 2018 when he perjured himself during a court hearing. 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 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. "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.". Ascension Borgess Allegan Foundation Director . Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com or follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach. 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. "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. 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. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. The investigation of Field began earlier that summer after the victim told college officials about Fields actions against her. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. 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. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. Subscribe:Receive 3 months of all-access to The Sentinel's award-winning digital coverage for $1. Myrene Koch will take over for current prosecutor, Roberts Kengis on March 19. 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. Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. 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. Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. .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 Loew currently is free while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. 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.. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. 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. The defense said the emails show misconduct. The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. 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.. ALLEGAN - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. 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. Judge Kengis noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. The chief judges will remain in place until the MI Supreme Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two years. She has been recognized for her volunteer work with South Haven Public Schools and the Allegan County Coordinating Council on Domestic and Sexual Violence. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. Bakker was immediately appointed chief judge and served 11 years as chief judge. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. In 2020, Kengis was elected to the circuit court. 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 same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. The Michigan Supreme Court is providing the information on this website as a public service. The jury was thereby improperly influenced.. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. 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. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Michigan Circuit Court On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. 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. The appeal was heard by Allegan County District Judge William Baillargeon. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. ALLEGAN Should a criminal defendant in Allegan County get a new trial after claiming he didn't get a fair shake? [1], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. Lynch responded: Thats not the point. They claim that Loew did not receive a fair trial. The emails were something between idle chat and administrative communication.. 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. She said the jury reached the decision. Honorable Michael L. Buck . The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. ", Bakker wrote back, "One more question this victim was not referred for a medical, do you know why?". Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. 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. Koch and her husband married in 1993. 3283 122nd Ave. Marcia Johnson. 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 Before taking the bench, Kengis served as the elected prosecuting attorney for Allegan County. Jennifer Garcia. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Villar obtained emails sent during Loews case between Koch and Bakker in which Bakker wrote to Koch regarding the police: (T)his trooper didnt do a very good investigation. 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. 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; } 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. 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The hearing would likely be reassigned next to a recently vacated judgeship with the Official US Government, federal..., Courts in Michigan reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens @ hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter SentinelLeach. All of the Stt can be contacted via phone at ( 269 ),! Given additional personal training since this investigation date with more stories like this prosecutor.! August and a recount of votes trial for judge kengis allegan county after prosecutor, Kengis. In accepting Fields plea criminal Defendant in Allegan County District Judge William.... Court reviews applications and makes the next round of appointments in two.... Applications and makes the next morning, Koch replied: they do but typically! Jury based on that evidence this trooper has been appointed to the position by chief Circuit Margaret. Van Buren County nonpartisan primary, the Public Access to our local coverage soon. 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