Worldnow and WAFB, WAFB 9 News (CBS), bayoubuzz.com
BYLINE: Media Sources
Baton Rouge, LA
BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) -
The case against a judge's son and former clerk employee, who is accused of stealing cocaine from a police evidence vault, took a strange twist Wednesday morning.
District Attorney Hillar Moore is asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to recuse the entire 19th Judicial District Court and appoint a special judge to hear the case.
Colvin is the son of Judge Kay Bates. He is charged with possession of cocaine, obstruction of justice and malfeasance in office.
Since he was arrested, Colvin indicated on phone calls to his girlfriend that he had a deal because of "certain relationships between certain people," in the courthouse.
"The allegations put the judges in a really difficult position that they are in," said Moore. "You can see by the recusal, all but two signed off on it. It does put the judges in a difficult position."
The case was assigned to Civil Judge Janice Clark, one of Bates' colleagues. The district attorney said the allotment was done against the local court rules, which is why he's asking the state supreme court for a substitute judge.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Colvin stole seven kilos of cocaine, and then took the drugs the home he shared with his girlfriend Debra Bell, 55. When Bell learned of the stolen cocaine, she ended the relationship and moved out. She has also been indicted on malfeasance in office charges.
Investigators said both Colvin and Bell have admitted to passing the cocaine on to others for sale in the Baton Rouge area.
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