Judge In Rovenstine Case Steps Down Due To Illness
March 24, 2017 at 8:32 p.m.
By Michael [email protected]
In court documents made available Thursday, Elkhart Superior Court I Judge Evan Roberts announced he has stepped aside “due to illness.”
Roberts was appointed special judge after Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael?Reed recused himself from the case.
Both sides have agreed to a replacement for Roberts and officials planned to name that judge later today, according to Deputy Special Prosecutor Matthew Sarber.
Sarber said the change of judge is not expected to delay the trial, which is scheduled to begin April 3.
Sarber joined the case after special prosecutor Nelson Chipman was forced to step aside due to illness about two months ago.
Rovenstine was indicted along with former Grace College professor Mark Soto and former martial arts instructor Kevin?Bronson in February 2016. Rovenstine is charged with 10 felony charges, including bribery and official misconduct.
Prosecutors allege Rovenstine agreed to receive $40,000 to allow Bronson special privileges while in the Kosciusko County Jail. Bronson allegedly added the sheriff to his will as a promise for the payment.
Among the allegations are that Rovenstine let Bronson and Soto meet unmonitored despite a request from?Warsaw Police Department to prevent that.
Warsaw Police Officer Paul Heaton was investigating Bronson and Soto for racketeering and intimidation tactics in connection with Bronson’s attempt to raise funds for a movie about his time in the Aryan?Brotherhood and subsequent conversion to Christianity.
Soto and Bronson are scheduled to face a jury trial Aug. 1. Prosecutors indicated previous court records that they are close to a plea agreement with Bronson.
Rovenstine’s trial is scheduled for three weeks in Kosciusko Circuit Court, including three days for jury selection.
If an impartial jury cannot be found in Kosciusko County, the trial will be moved.
In court documents made available Thursday, Elkhart Superior Court I Judge Evan Roberts announced he has stepped aside “due to illness.”
Roberts was appointed special judge after Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael?Reed recused himself from the case.
Both sides have agreed to a replacement for Roberts and officials planned to name that judge later today, according to Deputy Special Prosecutor Matthew Sarber.
Sarber said the change of judge is not expected to delay the trial, which is scheduled to begin April 3.
Sarber joined the case after special prosecutor Nelson Chipman was forced to step aside due to illness about two months ago.
Rovenstine was indicted along with former Grace College professor Mark Soto and former martial arts instructor Kevin?Bronson in February 2016. Rovenstine is charged with 10 felony charges, including bribery and official misconduct.
Prosecutors allege Rovenstine agreed to receive $40,000 to allow Bronson special privileges while in the Kosciusko County Jail. Bronson allegedly added the sheriff to his will as a promise for the payment.
Among the allegations are that Rovenstine let Bronson and Soto meet unmonitored despite a request from?Warsaw Police Department to prevent that.
Warsaw Police Officer Paul Heaton was investigating Bronson and Soto for racketeering and intimidation tactics in connection with Bronson’s attempt to raise funds for a movie about his time in the Aryan?Brotherhood and subsequent conversion to Christianity.
Soto and Bronson are scheduled to face a jury trial Aug. 1. Prosecutors indicated previous court records that they are close to a plea agreement with Bronson.
Rovenstine’s trial is scheduled for three weeks in Kosciusko Circuit Court, including three days for jury selection.
If an impartial jury cannot be found in Kosciusko County, the trial will be moved.
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