The judge overseeing the criminal case of Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board member Amy Word has removed himself from the proceedings. WNIN’s John Gibson reports:
Superior Court Judge Wayne Trockman recused himself without ruling on Word’s attorney’s motion to move her case out of Vanderburgh County, citing "untrue" media reports.
Evansville police arrested Word, who owns Lamasco Bar & Grill and Amy's on Franklin, in July after an investigation of drug activity along W. Franklin St.
She was charged with Maintaining a Common Nuisance after police arrested drug suspects as they left Lamasco.
If convicted, Word could face six months to two-and-a-half years in prison. She has pleaded not guilty.
Judge Trockman transferred the case to Vanderburgh Circuit Court, where Word’s next hearing was set for September 19th.
While Trockman did not say why he recused himself, but the Courier and Press noted Word publicly endorsed and financially supported Trockman's son, Ben Trockman, in his successful 2019 campaign for a City Council seat.