An Ingham County Circuit Court Judge is challenging the ruling by the Chief Judge to disqualify him in a high profile case involving a judge who was removed from the bench. On September 29th, the Chief Judge for the 30th Judicial Circuit ruled to disqualify Judge James R. Giddings from hearing the case of Beverley Nettles-Nickerson. Ms. Nickerson was a judge in the district and circuit courts in Ingham County until 2008. However, the chief judge previously disqualified himself from hearing the case when it was first assigned to him. Judge Giddings called an emergency hearing on Friday at which he indicated that because the Chief Judge already recused himself, the ruling on the 29th disqualifying Giddings was void. A Hearing is to be held on Monday, October 4, 2010. Mike Nichols is co-counsel for Ms. Nickerson along with attorney Andrew Abood. |