BEULAH — A Beulah woman's criminal case again was delayed because of her status as an elected county official.
Mary Pitcher, a longtime Benzie County commissioner, planned to plead guilty Thursday to having an open intoxicant in a vehicle and allowing a person with a suspended license to operate her vehicle. Pitcher, 51, also expected prosecutors to dismiss a marijuana possession charge against her, but a Benzie County judge on Thursday recused herself from hearing the case.
Judge Nancy Kida, of 85th District Court, contends she "is biased or prejudiced for or against a party or attorney," court records show.
Pitcher's role as a commissioner gives her the ability to make and vote on budget-related decisions on the county's behalf.
"Just given our position in the county, I don't believe one can objectively try the case," Kida said. "I didn't feel comfortable doing that in this case."
Kida initially asked court officials not to assign her to Pitcher's case, but a last-minute scheduling mishap pegged her as the judge. The state court administrative office plans to select another judge to replace Kida.
The recusal prolongs Pitcher's criminal case that began two months ago, when Benzie County sheriff's deputies arrested her after they found marijuana and an open beer bottle inside her vehicle.
"I wish we could've been through this already," said John Grogan, Pitcher's attorney. "I hope we have this over with by next week. We're just looking forward to resolving all of this and moving on."
The case initially was delayed because Benzie prosecutors asked that charges be considered in another jurisdiction. The state attorney general's office assigned Wexford County prosecutors to handle the case.
Pitcher expected to finalize her plea agreement this week in Beulah, as did Bart Anderson, who drove Pitcher's vehicle the night of her arrest. Anderson, 46, of Beulah, was arrested and charged with marijuana possession and driving on a suspended license.
His license was revoked in 1995, state records show. Anderson planned to plead guilty to marijuana use and driving on a suspended license, in exchange for dismissal of the marijuana possession charge.
Deputies stopped their vehicle along Shorewood Drive after they said Anderson swerved between lanes. Authorities stopped the vehicle and located a bag of marijuana near Anderson's feet and an open beer bottle near Pitcher's feet.
A deputy asked about the bag between Anderson's feet, but Pitcher grabbed it and told him "it's just some trash," police reports show. The substance tested positive for marijuana, deputies said. She didn't respond to calls for comment.
Pitcher was elected to the county board in 1997. She represents Crystal Lake, Platte and Lake townships and serves on the county planning commission.
Don Tanner, county board chairman, doesn't believe Pitcher's criminal charges will affect her stance on budget-related issues.
"As of right now, I'm not seeing anything that would trouble me on that front," Tanner said.
Pitcher was unopposed in her bid to remain on the county commission, but a Frankfort man recently filed for candidacy in the November election.
Region
Related Photos
-
Mary Pitcher
-
Bart Anderson
Judge pulls out of commissioner's case
Nancy Kida says her objectivity is tainted
-
-
Disabled man killed in blaze
Heavy smoke and flames rebuffed attempts by family, neighbors, police and fire officials to rescue a disabled man stranded in his Kalkaska Township home.
Continued ... -
Woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty
The frozen carcasses of two horses lay in Danelle Marie Round's pasture on the day she pleaded guilty to a single animal cruelty misdemeanor.
Continued ... -
Charged teacher waives exam, denied bond
A former Traverse City schoolteacher waived a preliminary examination and remains in jail on a charge of having sex with a student.
Continued ... -
BATA: 'Don't know how much money we will receive'
County transportation authorities are criticizing a federal bill they say could hurt state mass transit funding by putting it on year-to-year life cycle.
Continued ... -
Third Level offers suicide alertness workshop
Third Level Crisis Intervention Center will offer a one-day workshop for people who want to help those at risk of suicide.
Continued ... -
DNA ties Holly man to 2009 break-in
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Holly man whose DNA ties him to a 2009 Traverse City break-in.
Continued ... -
Man arraigned in late-night chase
A man shot by police Taser after a late-night chase was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
Trojan debate team receives $30,000 grant
A local foundation donated $30,000 to Traverse City Central High School's debate team.
Continued ... - Friday, February 10, 2012
-
One dead in Kalkaska blaze
Fire and police officials found a victim about 3:30 p.m. today inside a Kalkaska Township home engulfed by flames.
Continued ... -
Vasa brings skiers, business
Skiers aren't the only ones thrilled the annual Vasa race will proceed despite warm temperatures and little snow.
Continued ... -
Sparks fly over TCLP substation plan
Traverse City Light & Power wants a new southside substation to shore up its electric system, but Mayor Michael Estes fears the big site is a Trojan horse for a new power plant.
Continued ... -
Grand Traverse freezes pay for officials
Grand Traverse County plans to freeze elected officials' salaries and eliminate a car allowance in 2013 because of continued uncertainty over its revenue stream.
Continued ... -
Blair man accused of meat-fork threat
A Blair Township man was arrested for assault after police said he threatened his girlfriend with a meat-carving fork.
Continued ... -
Drop-off recycling site relocating
A drop-off recycling site on LaFranier Road is being relocated.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 9, 2012
-
Ex-TC teacher to waive exam in sex case
A Traverse City teacher accused of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student is expected to waive a preliminary examination in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
A changing of the guard in GT County
The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard. The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.
Continued ... -
Janik tapped for Leelanau administrator
Chet Janik hopes to come home. The Leelanau County board offered its administrator job to Chet Janik, who came to Leelanau as a child when his parents emigrated from Poland.
Continued ... -
Dog park backers plan fundraisers
Dog park supporters raised more than a third of a $15,000 goal just a month into efforts to pay for Traverse City's first park for pets. Work continues to bring in the remaining money.
Continued ... -
Police: Man breaks up fight with gun
Police said a man on Traverse City's east side tried to stop a fight outside his home with a handgun.
Continued ... -
Tased man charged as habitual offender
A man stunned by police Taser in a home invasion incident was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
-
Body of missing fisherman found
Authorities say a dive team has recovered the body of a 33-year-old fisherman who fell through the ice of a pond near Mesick.
Continued ... -
Pears to replace dead ash trees
Downtown streets in the Cherry Capital soon will bloom with the color of another fruit.
Continued ... -
Vasa trail in good shape for weekend
Despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of significant snowfall, the 36th annual North American Vasa cross country ski race is on for this weekend.
Continued ... -
Acme officials defer Meijer decision
Acme Township officials deferred a decision on a long-proposed Meijer store along M-72 until a special meeting in two weeks.
Continued ... -
Parks smoking ban on hold in TC
City Commissioner Jim Carruthers wants more time to work on smoking rules at city parks.
Continued ...
-
