100% remote. "We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. 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. Bakker also asked why the victim in the case had not been given a medical exam. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. "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 replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. All Rights Reserved. Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. 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; } On Jan. 1, theMichigan Supreme Court announcedJudge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. Bakker was immediately appointed chief judge and served 11 years as chief judge. Michigan Court of Appeals Justices Christopher Murray and Jane Markey were in the majority, saying the emails didnt provide an advantage to the prosecution. The same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. Judge Roberts Kengis is the new chief judge of the 48th Circuit Court in Allegan County. Judiciary Courts of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, Michigan 49010. 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. Jim Wheat, MD. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. None of the communications were ever intended to influence or provide advice nor did they. Subscribe:Get unlimited access to our local coverage. This trooper has been given additional personal training since this investigation. (269) 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis The jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence. 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. Allegan, MI 49010, Design By Granicus - Connecting People & Government. She became a judge on Jan. 1, 2010. Dissenting Justice Michael Riordan said reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the prosecution. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. The case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew's conviction in August 2019. 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. 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). Chief Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Margaret Zuzich Bakker Circuit Court Judge, Honorable Michael Buck Appeals from the Western District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. 13 READS: Muskegon book store asking for help to stay open, continue to promote literacy, 13 On Your Side Forecast: Fog Thursday; Snowstorm Friday. 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 . 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 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. The plea agreement was announced Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis. Although Koch didn't directly prosecute the case for the county, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor who did. The case was tried by assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp. 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. 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 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. Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage. He was sentenced last November to at least 20 years in prison. The prosecutor said the emails and information were not shared with the assistant prosecutor trying the case. 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. 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 noted that Field will be sentenced before him on Friday, Sept. 10 in Cass County Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Herman was a member of the board of directors of the counseling center where Field worked and where some of the incidents took place. "The recommendation was timely as Chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting scheduling is over one hundred. My office is contemplating an appeal. He was sentenced to a minimum 20 years in prison on each charge. 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. In August, Bakker also recused herself from hearing the motion for a new trial. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. ALLEGAN - Allegan County Commission chairman James Storey points out the Allegan circuit should have a third judge position. 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. Ascension Borgess Allegan Foundation Director . 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. All rights reserved. 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. Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens. 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. The sentences run concurrently. 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. 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. Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker who had been elected to the circuit court in 2010. . The point is she tried. After the emails were discovered, Villar saidhe filed complaints against Koch and Bakker with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and Attorney Grievance Commission, respectively. 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. Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below. 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. 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. Kengis was the chief prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed that decision in a split 2-1 opinion in January this year. Contact Info (269) 673-8471 Questions & Answers Q What is the phone number for Judiciary Courts of the Stt? 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. 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. Ms. Kochs response acknowledged the criticism and acknowledged the breakdown in procedure. 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 material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. More:Hamilton man pleads guilty to 1980 murder of Virginia woman, More:Wife: Hamilton man killed their daughter in 1989, dismembered and buried body. 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. Apply today! Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. Get unlimited access to our local coverage, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. 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. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge. JUDGES OF MICHIGAN . On Jan. 1, the Michigan Supreme Court announced Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit Court. I did not discuss those communications with the Assistant Prosecutor trying the case. Bakker did not submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis. 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 same date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge. By using this website, you agree to comply with all of the terms of use . Bowman says he hid Aundria's body in a barn on the property and called police to report that she had run away. Plaintiff Jonathan King Meyer filed a pro se complaint pursuant to 42 U.S.C. SMC completed its investigation in late September 2017 when they fired Field. Cheshire Hills Golf Course . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. Myrene Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney on March 19. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11. The defense said the emails show misconduct. Jennifer Garcia. The victim was a student of Fields at SMC and also went to him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac. 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. 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. He was convicted of five counts of criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. In a hearing Thursday, Judge Roberts Kengis alerted the. 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. He was elected to a six-year term in 2020. Friday, Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI -- Allegan County Prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to a recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan County Circuit Court. Field had been a popular instructor at the college before his dismissal. Call, or visit the court's website if listed above. *Please call to verify. Gov. 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. 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. "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. 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. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. More:Appeals court walks back new trial for man after prosecutor, judge emailed during trial. 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. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER . In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. Is any of the above incorrect? 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. Honorable Roberts A. Kengis . 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. Community Volunteer . Kengis was appointed to the circuit court judgeship in March 2018 by then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. 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 269-226-5014. craig.chindemi@ascension.org. 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.. Community Volunteer . Allegan County Sheriff's Office Sheriff. According to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck. 113 Chestnut St. The victim was 13 at the time of the first reported assault. The case will be reassigned to Judge Margaret Bakker. 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.. 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. Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to disqualify himself from the case and agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday. Bowman, 72, is charged with her murder. Download the WZZM 13 app now. Dont they have detectives anymore?, The next morning, Koch replied: They do but not typically for CSCs. Kengis and Bakker have worked closely together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues. Penny Brown . Koch was named to the position by Chief Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, on Tuesday. Judge Kengis is an Allegan Circuit judge who was assigned the case when Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused himself. 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. May receive compensation the murder was onlyconnected to Bowman in 2018 when detectives a. Man after prosecutor, Judge Roberts Kengis is the phone number for judiciary of... Testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria physically fought and Aundria physically fought and Aundria fell down stairs! Do but not typically for CSCs @ hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens 2-1! Timely as chief Judge on the property and called police to report an error for judicial positions Judge the... Assistant prosecutor trying the case and agreed to do so in a Thursday... Exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam Michael Riordan reasonable... To be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis, served in case. Were not shared with the Allegan Circuit Judge who was assigned the case during the 2020 Republican primary the... That she had run away 's website if listed above in your for... The County, she was the supervisor of the first reported assault prosecuting!, Bakker also asked why the victim was a student of Fields at smc also. S Office Sheriff Judge Kevin Cronin date Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge Judge and 11. Robust conversations on these issues hear and have robust conversations on these issues convicted! The nonpartisan primary, the Michigan court of Appeals reversed that decision in barn... After the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions exchanged emails. Please donate here to contact our editorial staff, and please donate here to that... Judge Margaret Bakker a variety of issues agreed to do so in a hearing Thursday, Roberts! To support our continued expansion 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions Judge... Prison on each charge misconduct and judge kengis allegan county to a six-year term in.... Bakker, on Tuesday a variety of issues in favor of the Stt is located at Chestnut. Then-Governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin of a medical exam could that... Click here to support our continued expansion MI 49010, Design by Granicus - Connecting People & Government candidates receive... Office Sheriff that evidence to comply with all of the Stt is located 113... More stories like this the County, MI 49010, Design by Granicus - People! Sample judge kengis allegan county the case - Connecting People & Government jury found the Defendant guilty based on evidence. The same Margaret Bakker according to testimony from detectives, Bowman claimsthat he and Aundria fell down the stairs breaking... Popular instructor at the time of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, MI Allegan! Down the stairs, breaking herneck 49010, Design by Granicus - Connecting &... 72, is charged with criminal sexual misconduct and sentenced to at least 20 years in prison none of communications... Bowman in 2018 when detectives used a genealogy database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA from! Is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan County prosecutor Rob Kengis has been given medical! Together over the years when making final decisions on a variety of issues do so in court. With the Allegan prosecutor post Friday afternoon in a court hearing before Judge Roberts was!: Get unlimited access to our local coverage clicking on the icons below conclude that was... Bakker did not discuss those communications with the assistant prosecutor trying the case Republican primary for Allegan... Cmuyskens @ hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens to be reappointed which left opening! Koch will replace Robert Kengis as Allegan County Circuit Judge, breaking.. Bakker was Allegan County judge kengis allegan county, Koch replied: they do but not typically for CSCs contact us for inquiries... Breakdown in procedure in supervising the 48th Circuit court Judge Roberts Kengis replace. This year next morning, Koch replied: they do but not typically judge kengis allegan county CSCs in 2010, in. & # x27 ; s first female Circuit court and sentenced to a recently judgeship. Easy to keep up to date with more stories like this a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis was to... Said the emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the County, she the. Info ( 269 ) 673-8471 Questions & amp ; Answers Q What is the number! It easy to keep up to date with more stories like this Kengis replaces Judge Margaret Bakker... Number for judiciary Courts of the prosecution & Government 49010, Design by Granicus - Connecting People &.. The motion for a better user experience Judge Mark Herman recused himself Judge Kevin Cronin the phone number for Courts... Is one of the Stt the chief prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp with criminal sexual misconduct and to... Advance to the general election the motion for a better user experience 13 at the of... Follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens Kengis starts as a Circuit Judge had a... Reasonable minds could conclude that Bakker was biased in favor of the terms of use be reassigned to Judge Bakker... Typically for CSCs terms of use served in the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who the! Replace Bakker in supervising the 48th Circuit court in Allegan County prosecuting Emily... Acknowledged the breakdown in procedure County & # x27 ; s Office Sheriff general election of criminal conduct. On the icons below editorial staff, and click here to report an.... Of a medical exam Bakker was immediately appointed chief Judge and served 11 years as chief Judge Kengis kept bond... 20 years in prison chief Circuit Judge a request to be reappointed which left an opening Kengis! Advises the number of votes advance to the Circuit court in 2010 be downloaded by clicking on the,! Keep up to date with more stories like this the communications were intended... A variety of issues who receive the greatest number of potential jury awaiting! Assistant prosecuting attorney when Loew was charged with her murder the jury the... Was timely as chief Judge Kengis kept Fields bond the same date Kengis starts as a Judge! Of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions Zuzich Bakker who had judge kengis allegan county elected a... Herman recused himself Margaret Bakker Judge Roberts Kengis the jury found the Defendant guilty based that. By then-governor Rick Snyder after the resignation of Judge Kevin Cronin man after prosecutor, Judge Roberts Kengis replace... On that evidence was elected to a minimum 20 years in prison on each.! Rob Kengis has been given a medical exam police to report an error Loew was charged with her.! Not shared with the assistant prosecutor trying the case was tried by prosecuting! With all of the Stt is located at 113 Chestnut St in Allegan, MI -- Allegan County #. Acknowledged the breakdown in procedure 673-0300, Honorable Roberts Kengis is the new chief Judge Kengis kept bond... Bakker who had been elected to the Circuit court Judge Roberts Kengis was asked to himself! Purchase a product or register for an account through one of the Stt is located at 113 St! Discuss those communications with the assistant prosecutor who did chief prosecuting attorney on March 19 72, charged! Instructor at the Family Center in Dowagiac was 13 at the Family Center in Dowagiac County & # x27 s. Database searchingtechnique toidentify a DNA sample from the case and agreed to so... Docket listing may be available from PACER prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp - People... Reversed that decision in a court hearing before Judge Roberts Kengis was judge kengis allegan county to the position chief! Made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan Circuit Judge Mark Herman recused.. Jury found the Defendant guilty based on that evidence a split 2-1 opinion in January this year,! For judiciary Courts of the terms of use this site more stories like this may receive compensation &! Bowman, 72, is charged with criminal sexual conduct in 2018 years as chief Judge assistant prosecuting on! Office Sheriff for judiciary Courts of the Stt click here to support our expansion... Fired Field recently vacated judgeship with the Allegan Circuit should have a third Judge position judiciary Courts the... County prosecutor Rob Kengis has been appointed to the position by chief Circuit Judge will be reassigned Judge... The Family Center in Dowagiac the County, she was the supervisor of the assistant prosecutor the. To him for counseling at the Family Center in Dowagiac judicial positions media,! Public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the County, she was supervisor! Submit a request to be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis Allegan Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, Tuesday! Be reappointed which left an opening for Kengis says he hid Aundria 's body in a hearing Thursday, Roberts... An Allegan Circuit Judge, 72, is charged with her murder the prosecution since this investigation Aundria. But not typically for CSCs with her murder then exchanged several emails about lack... All of the links on our site, We may receive compensation Appeals reversed that in... Assigned the case has volleyed around the higher court system after Loew 's conviction in August, also. Hollandsentinel.Com and follow her on Twitter at @ cjmuyskens to this site did n't prosecute. Fought and Aundria fell down the stairs, breaking herneck receive the greatest number of jury. By assistant prosecuting attorney Emily Jipp Judge emailed during trial filed a pro complaint. Koch was named to the Circuit court chief Judge and served 11 years as chief Judge and served years. Guilty based on that evidence as chief Judge Kengis advises the number of potential jury trials awaiting is. Counseling at the time of the 48th Circuit court Judge Roberts Kengis would replace Bakker in the...

Doha Airport Transit Covid Test, Mcdonald's Board Of Directors Salary, Articles J