Chief Judge Melissa A. Morgan has denied a request by 49-year-old Fairfield resident, Roy Finley to disqualify Wayne County Circuit Judge Matt Vaughn from hearing a pending order of protection case.
Morgan issued the ruling Wednesday after hearing testimony from Finley and reviewing evidence and legal arguments. The case will now return to Vaughn for a plenary hearing October 2nd.
Finley sought to have Vaughn removed after acknowledging that he contacted the judge’s wife in June regarding an overlapping order of protection case.
The current protection order was obtained by Carmi attorney Jonathan Turpin following an alleged confrontation between the two earlier this year. Authorities allege Turpin confronted Finley about taking video of his Carmi home and office, and Finley then opened the door of his truck, knocking Turpin to the ground.
That incident also resulted in Finley being charged in White County with aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony.
A status hearing in the criminal case is scheduled for September 18th in White County Circuit Court before Judge Evan Owen.