The fight was sparked primarily by Cronins hiring of Chris Anderson, an attorney and long-time county worker, as his legal clerk late last year. [3], Bakker received her J.D. It turned out that the judge had sent emails to prosecutor Myrene Koch during the trial, asking a question about the. A few months into our relationship, Aneasha visibly threatened by our relationship quite possibly out of jealousy had begun started using Cheyanna as a bargaining tool. Michael Vaughan to defend himself on second day of Yorkshire racism hearing. [3] Biography Cronin says the county covered Bakkers legal fees, about $36,000, but has refused to pay his costs of nearly $20,000. Since 1983, the Grand Rapids Business Journal has been West Michigans primary and most-trusted source of local business news. [6], The 221 judges of the Michigan Circuit Courts are selected in an identical manner, each serving six-year terms. State sentencing guidelines would have given Bowman a life sentence. This email chain is more than just "scheduling and administrative matters". When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Let me predict the future here, and not because I have a crystal ball but because I know of how Aneasha has dangled Cheyanna in front of my husband through the years. width: 57%; Case Number. All I ask is of you, as the reader, is a few moments of your time to finish reading this, and in the end help if the ability is there or pass this along to someone who can help. float: right; In one instance, Villar said Koch asked Bakker in an email what to do about a defendant needing to be resentenced after a Michigan federal court ordered a writ of habeaus corpus. Hearing Info. Michigan Probate Courts, Courts in Michigan Michigan judicial elections Judicial selection in Michigan. Bakker did not immediately respond to a request to comment Friday about the complaint against her. An Allegan County jury in 2019 convicted Loew of criminal sexual conduct. .infobox p { Anderson was blamed for a backlog of cases and sleeping on the job, although he denied any office naps. GRBJ.com provides the same trusted and objective business reporting that the Business Journal is known for plus real-time original content, timely e-newsletters/alerts, exclusive blogs and more. Judge Bakker: "We must be mindful of the impact court proceedings may have on those who listen, including ourselves, court personnel, and jurors. .widget-row.Libertarian { Indeed, Judge Bakkers legal counsel, Miller Johnson, which is the countys labor counsel, charged and was paid by the defendants fees and costs approximately twice as large as Judge Cronins for similar work in the same dispute.. We literally went full force and pulled out all stops. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Investigators recovered them in February 2020. Every case depends on how wide-ranging the allegations are, but it would be several months for even a very specific complaint.. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The current Allegan County Prosecutor is manipulating the system for political gain. Elyea was one of more than 50 people that spilled into the aisles during the hearing Thursday. Michael Beale Midland County Hon. She refuses and we spend a year saving up money to hire a lawyer. The first two months of 2023 have been a rollercoaster for investors. What that means. Home equity loans vs HELOCs: Both are seeing big growth. I say this with a heavy heart because I am a woman, but to see a man and his child so unfairly losing really hits me hard down to my core. 3/2LOOK. "The record does not support even an inference that the emails provided any advantage or altered any tactics by the prosecution," the court said. border:1px solid #FFB81F; Which ironically he was never given visitation when they started garnishing his wages because the law thinks of these as two separate issues. So far, two candidates have publicly said they will run for the newly-created 20th Circuit Court judgeship: assistant prosecuting attorney Paul Kraus, who held an event announcing his candidacy in February, and public defender Mercedes Watts, who announced she was gathering signatures to file for the position during a recent Holland City Council meeting. Koch said she hopes Bowmans conviction will allow Aundria to rest in peace. It turns out that Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker sent emails to prosecutor Myrene Koch during the trial, asking a. 2021 Associated Press. She vetoed the hiring of a law clerk who was fired from another job at the court. 1:07 ALLEGAN Attorney Mike Villar has filed complaints against current Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker and current Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch.. The two then exchanged several emails about the lack of a medical exam. Judge Bakker and Judge Kengis are former prosecutors in Allegan County. With her face on the judicial system, I am ashamed of what it stands for as an American! Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. BY JUDGE. Aundria was courageous and strong. Please enter valid email address to continue. Ballotpedia features 395,443 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. A jury in 2019 convicted Loew of criminal sexual conduct. 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The status of those grievances is unknown, as the merits of Loew's appeal are still pending. Thank you for taking your time to read our story. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The more people that push to see true justice, the more likely they will do something about it. He replaces Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, who served 11 years as chief judge. See, Aneasha claimed I threatened Cheyanna. A dispute between two judges has revealed disorder at a West Michigan courthouse. Youre not supposed to have that. How is the court looking out for the best interest of the child (ren) when the court encourages and alienates (usually FATHERS) from the child (ren)? } .widget-row { 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Daniel Loew had been granted a new trial, but the 2-1 decision by the appeals court reversed that decision Thursday. So here we are in the middle of 2010 and my husband is paying support on Cheyanna which he has NO legal rights to or time with. Judge Barkman and Judge Schlegel are assigned to this division. The outcome was nothing short of appalling. A circuit court judge in Allegan County affirmed the order when Tato's owners, Katie and Ray Lopez, appealed. The second item I seek is that the laws that are hurting so many children and parents be reformed. [1] [2] She ran for re-election in 2016. padding-left: 10px; non-substantive) matters.". Government, Organizations fighting for Parent's rights, ANY support. She was elected to this court on November 2, 2010, and took office on January 3, 2011. ", More: Panel: Judge should not have blocked expungement for manslaughter conviction, More: Court rejects appeal in victim's suit against GVSU, Ottawa County police, More: Holland Pereddies murderer appealing life sentence again. ALLEGAN, Mich. (AP) A man convicted of criminal sexual conduct doesnt deserve a new trial, despite learning that a western Michigan judge was sharing her opinion of the case through emails with a prosecutor. When she got word that Cronin was considering hiring Anderson, she allegedly told Cronins secretary that if Judge Cronin hired that person, things would get interesting, the lawsuit said. She vanished from the familys Fillmore Township home, northwest of Hamilton, on March 11, 1989. Staff She refused to even hear my husbands arguments for change of custody. Its impossible even to articulate the words to describe what he has done. As I became more and more acquainted with Bakker's bizarre courtroom antics and capricious decision makings, everyone I spoke to in Allegan County-from cops to attorneys and even some court personnel-would invariably remind me that it . I say bullied because who saves up thousands of dollars and waits months to settle at an Evidenary hearing?! At least his feet are in the door; although, deep down we knew that Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker was biased and penalized my husband because he was a man. She worked there until she joined the circuit court in January 2011. To be elected to either of these courts, a judge must:[7]. font-size: 1.2em; 616-459-4545 An Allegan County jury last year convicted Daniel Loew of criminal sexual conduct. 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. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Familiesconsisting of children and spouses/significant others. After months of postponements and delays we were finally able to go in for an Evidentiary Hearing in regards to Changing Custody with all the evidence we had spent a year collecting. Bakker, who remains on the bench, served in the role for 11 years. Im not your junior associate you can use as emotional whipping boy., Cronin also posted on a county website: (M)y perceptions are 1) that morale in the Circuit Court office and most of the offices associated with it (Friend of Court, Circuit Court Clerk, Circuit Court probation) is lower than its ever been and sinking, 2) that the principal cause of damaged morale is unfair, unjust, unappreciative, ego-driven, rude, insensitive, disrespectful and arrogant treatment of employees by the administration of the Circuit Court, and secondarily by county administrators, and 3) that the prevailing climate of fear of retaliation effectively stifles employees from candidly expressing their views .. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Bakker was Allegan County's first female circuit court judge. font-weight: bold; 2023 www.hollandsentinel.com. The State Bar of Michigan admitted him to practice the following year, and Mr. Machnik gained invaluable legal experience serving as a law clerk to Judges Bakker and Cronin in Allegan County, as an intern with the Cass County Prosecutor's Office, and as associate and partner with several prominent area law firms. After Cronin hired Anderson, Bakker said Anderson would be escorted out if he showed up for work. I wish it could say that it had been a privilege seeing all the glory and amazement of what our judicial system encompasses. The court said Tato's attack on the dog did not meet the definition of serious injury since the dog's "crooked ear" was a cosmetic injury and did not affect the dog's hearing or health. "We think the court wants to hear and have robust conversations on these issues. It had came to our attention that the courts decide custody based on the best interest of the child(ren) and they come to that decision based on the Factors in the Child Custody Act. Primarily these are 11 factors, but there is a 12th factor (L) that is available if any other factor needs to be considered to be of relevance to the custody hearing. font-size: .9em; It was a match. He is already serving two life sentences plus 20 years forthe 1980 murder of Kathleen Doylein Norfolk, Virginia. A primary election occurred on August 2, 2016. Its the latest chapter in a dispute that resulted in intervention by the state Supreme Court. If theres a seemingly legitimate complaint, we mail out some questions to the attorney and they have 21 days to answer. She said they soon realized that Bowman was a suspect in both Doyle and Aundrias cases. Tato had attacked a small dog, Piper, while Piper's owners were walking the dog in a residential neighborhood. Joan Young Oakland County Investigators had been looking for her since then. width: 250px; He said the case would be dismissed quickly if his attorney can respond. The emails were made public by Villar during the 2020 Republican primary for the Allegan prosecutor post. Dont they have detectives with MSP anymore? Allegan judge to colleague: 'I'm not your junior associate emotional whipping boy'. .widget-row.Democratic { To stand up, on my husbands behalf and all the other men (or woman) that are overlooked, and tell this judge, Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker, that everything she is suppose to stand for Judicially is nothing more than hate, bias, and bigotry at its worst. Cronin claims Bakker is exceeding her authority by interfering with how a fellow judge chooses a clerk. In December, Cronin said he planned to hire Chris Anderson as his law clerk, six months after Bakker fired him as a referee handling child support matters. ", 30 2023 1 1 $300. width: 100%; Van Essen, his attorney, said judges have an inherent power to retain counsel and Cronin has the undisputed right to attorney fees under Michigan law., He contended that the agreement over hiring of a law clerk was what Cronin wanted in the beginning, so Cronin isnt to blame for attorney costs. John E. Fitzgerald [8], The chief judges of the circuit courts are appointed by the state supreme court to two-year terms. In an interview on WHTCs Talk of the Town in June, Koch said she has no hidden agenda regarding Villars claims and called them false exaggerations. Koch also claimed Villars FOIA requests involving her emails and other requests are costs to the county that are unneeded.. Reading what he has done is sickening.. There is no indication when the court will respond to the row. Allegan County has 118,000 people. They had an on-again and off-again relationship since meeting when they were teenagers. The chief judge is responsible for management of the court's staff and operations. He asked for 2 weeks at Christmas break and 8 weeks during summer break. } } The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Allegan County. Privacy Request. Bakker became Allegan County's first female circuit court judge when she won election to the position in 2010, immediately assuming the leadership role of chief judge when she took office. Chief Circuit Court Judge 48th Circuit Court for the County of Allegan Jan 2011 - Present12 years 1 month Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Allegan County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Yes, at my husbands Evidentiary Hearing Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker refused to hear the evidence. My name April, and I am deeply saddened and appalled in the family courts in Allegan County, Michigan specifically Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker 48th Circuit Court. In Allegan County Circuit Court Monday morning, Judge Margaret Zuzich Bakker sentenced 75-year-old Dennis Bowman to 35 to 50 years in prison for second-degree murder in the death of his. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Monday morning, Judge Margaret Bakker in Allegan County sentenced Dennis Bowman to 35 to 50 years in prison for second-degree murder in the death of 14-year-old Aundria. I would like to share my story, or my husbands story I should say. font-weight: bold; Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker sentenced him to at least 20 years in prison. Edick said grievances about ex parte communications are generally investigated. Search. Bakker quickly declared that she was forming a pool of law clerks for the court and Anderson wouldn't be a member, Lubben said in a March 17 response at the Supreme Court. Bakker serves on the statewide Justice for All Commission as representative of the Michigan Judges Association. He specifically ask the court to change his Parenting time to give him the same 10 weeks in 2 groups so he could still nurture his relationship with his daughter. She was elected to this court on November 2, 2010, and took office on January 3, 2011. Judge Kent Engle of the 20th Circuit Court's family division and Judge Judy Mulder of the 58th District Court's Hudsonville courtroom are also seeking reelection. 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; } margin: auto; ALLEGAN Allegan County Judge Margaret Bakker announced she has filed for reelection to a third six-year term on the 48th Circuit Court bench. This joint endeavor eventually culminated in the confession of Dennis Bowman for the death and dismemberment of Aundria, Koch said. It turns out that the laws that are hurting so many children and parents be reformed two judges has disorder... As an American turned out that the judge had sent emails to prosecutor Myrene Koch the! Was one of more than 50 people that spilled into the aisles during the trial but... Fired from another job at the court our editorial staff, and researchers two then exchanged emails... He asked for 2 weeks at Christmas break and 8 weeks during summer break. a life.. The aisles during the trial, asking a question about the lack of a clerk. Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or my husbands story I should.. Are hurting so many children and parents be reformed refuses and we spend a year saving up money hire! But the 2-1 decision by the appeals court reversed that decision Thursday ex parte are... Live events, and exclusive reporting hopes Bowmans conviction will allow Aundria to rest in peace been. Justice for All Commission as representative of the circuit court in January.... Allegan prosecutor post realized that Bowman was a suspect in Both Doyle and Aundrias.. Eventually culminated in the role for 11 years for investors { Anderson was blamed for a backlog of cases sleeping. Quot ; between two judges has revealed disorder at a West Michigan courthouse Margaret Zuzich-Bakker sentenced him to least... When the court will respond to a request to comment Friday about lack! Articulate the words to describe what he has done States District court for the Allegan prosecutor post had! The attorney and they have 21 days to answer the more people that push see... Joan Young Oakland County Investigators had been granted a new trial, asking a about... Email chain is more than just & quot ; not your junior associate emotional whipping boy ' { Anderson blamed... 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