Murder trial “conflicted” out of Olmsted County bench; next hearing set for March
[anvplayer video=”5157275″ station=”998128″]
(ABC 6 News) – The Rochester man accused of murdering Kim Robinson appeared in court Friday, Jan. 13, and met the judge appointed to his case — Douglas C. Bayley of the First Judicial District covering Goodhue, Dakota, and other counties south of the Twin Cities.
RELATED: OCSO identify woman found dead in ditch on Monday; suspect named, charged – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com
Bayley said that Bush’s case “conflicted out of the Olmsted county bench” and had thus been assigned to him.
According to court documents, Olmsted County judges Katherine Wallace and Lisa Hayne recused themselves from the case in early January.
Neither judge served during Bush’s previous 2007 murder charge and conviction. However, four other current Olmsted County judges had.
"My understanding is that it is believed that the relationships that the judges have with each other would make it awkward at best, ethically difficult at least, for the rest of the judges here in Olmsted and our district to preside so the Chief Judge looked outside Olmsted to assign the case."
“My understanding is that it is believed that the relationships that the judges have with each other would make it awkward at best, ethically difficult at least, for the rest of the judges here in Olmsted and our district to preside so the Chief Judge looked outside Olmsted to assign the case,” county attorney Mark Ostrem said. “Judges and Attorneys are very cautious not to cross ethical boundaries and always err on the side of caution when such an issue comes up.”
Bush remains incarcerated at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center on $3,000,000 bail. He faces two charges of 2nd-degree murder and one charge of 1st-degree drug possession.
Bush’s next court appearance was set for March 10, after Ostrem requested at least 45 days for Olmsted County to receive autopsy and forensic evidence results, and share those and body/squad camera footage with Bush’s defense.