MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Oxford, Mississippi judge who presided over a hearing for a former Oxford police officer has recused himself from the case, following demands from the family of victim Dominique Clayton.
Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth issued his recusal in the case of Matthew Kinne on Wednesday, a day after a hearing for Kinney erupted with the victim’s family members calling for him to be removed.
Family members said they were unhappy with the judge after a conversation between Howorth and Kinne concerning a bond hearing. That hearing was postponed and Kinne remains in jail.
Howorth said he did not want his involvement to negatively affect fairness.
Kinne is accused of murdering Clayton, a woman family members say was in a relationship with the former officer. He was terminated from his job with the department, and the city’s police chief said the department stands with the family.
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