Wasatch County sheriff asks to disqualify judge in his obstruction case
Sheriff Jared Rigby's motion argues Judge Richard Mrazik could be a witness because he presided over the Kouri Richins trial.
Based on reporting by KUTV 2News (CBS). Read the original story →
Continuing story: Wasatch County sheriff's case
Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby has asked that the judge in his criminal case be disqualified, KUTV reported. Rigby was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and making a false written statement connected to the murder case against Kouri Richins, who was convicted of killing her husband. [1]
The motion argues that Judge Richard Mrazik has "personal knowledge of the facts that are in dispute," which it says would lead a reasonable person to question his impartiality and make him a personal witness. Mrazik presided over the Richins case. [1]
Rigby is accused of writing an anonymous letter meant to hinder that case, expressing "serious concern" about Detective Eric Mainord's "credibility and reliability as a witness." The motion says Mrazik acknowledged "interactions regarding this issue" in the Richins case and made statements about the timing of the letter and his response to it. [1]
The filing cites the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct, which says a judge must step aside in any proceeding where the judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned. It adds that Rigby's lawyers have "no doubt Judge Richard Mrazik harbors no actual bias in this case." The charges are allegations, and Rigby has pleaded not guilty. [1]
Sources
This story was written by AI from the report by KUTV 2News (CBS), which has the full story. How we write stories.