OKLAHOMA CITY - One day after Judge Tammy Bass-Lesure stepped down from an upcoming high profile trial, Judge Ray Elliott has postponed the proceedings and reversed a ruling allowing cameras in the courtroom.
On Tuesday, Judge Bass-Lesure recused herself from the case against pharmacist Jerome Ersland. T he reason is sealed inside court documents. But startling allegations have surfaced, alleging the judge promised preferential treatment for certain attorneys. Judge Bass-Lesure told Newschannel 4's Marika Lorraine off camera she was having a rough day Wednesday and that 90% of the things being said about her right now are wrong.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater is the one who asked Bass-Lesure to recuse herself. He will not speak about that part of the case saying, "I apologize for not being able to comment, but I am prevented legally from commenting about anything that has occurred."
He did say, "We've been ready for trial every time it's been set."
The court case is expected to be a long one and would most likely conflict with Judge Elliot's schedule. To make sure there were no interruptions, they rescheduled the trial.
Prater says, "Out of an abundance of caution it was decided that court would go ahead and continue the case until December the 6th."
Cameras will no longer be allowed to visually document the proceedings. A camera in the courtroom was something Prater had pushed for in the past, but now is against.
He says, "I reversed my previous position because of some concerns over things that have happened over the last several months since that previous ruling had been made."
Though the case is moving forward, there are still a lot of questions as to why all of this shuffling was done. Both sides will now have until October 1st to re-file any motions in this case.
On Tuesday, Judge Bass-Lesure recused herself from the case against pharmacist Jerome Ersland. T he reason is sealed inside court documents. But startling allegations have surfaced, alleging the judge promised preferential treatment for certain attorneys. Judge Bass-Lesure told Newschannel 4's Marika Lorraine off camera she was having a rough day Wednesday and that 90% of the things being said about her right now are wrong.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater is the one who asked Bass-Lesure to recuse herself. He will not speak about that part of the case saying, "I apologize for not being able to comment, but I am prevented legally from commenting about anything that has occurred."
He did say, "We've been ready for trial every time it's been set."
The court case is expected to be a long one and would most likely conflict with Judge Elliot's schedule. To make sure there were no interruptions, they rescheduled the trial.
Prater says, "Out of an abundance of caution it was decided that court would go ahead and continue the case until December the 6th."
Cameras will no longer be allowed to visually document the proceedings. A camera in the courtroom was something Prater had pushed for in the past, but now is against.
He says, "I reversed my previous position because of some concerns over things that have happened over the last several months since that previous ruling had been made."
Though the case is moving forward, there are still a lot of questions as to why all of this shuffling was done. Both sides will now have until October 1st to re-file any motions in this case.
