Witness Blocked From Testifying In Criminal Case Against Judge Bass-LeSure

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A judge granted a request Monday to block a witness from testifying in the criminal case against an Oklahoma County judge.

Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure is accused of adopting children, giving them to another woman and collecting the state funds herself.

Last week, LeSure called on two witnesses who she said will prove District Attorney David Prater has a personal vendetta against her, but on Monday a special judge brought in to hear the case granted an emergency motion to block one of the witnesses from testifying.

"Then for the media to personally request through lawyers to be able to be present, and then the judge to issue a ruling on that order within 45 minutes of the request I think is unusual," said legal analyst David Slane.

LeSure's attorneys said they believe Prater should recuse himself from the case.

"Obviously, the judge does not want to be prosecuted by David Prater. She's indicated that he's biased towards her, that this is personal, and she obviously wants to get him removed, and I think Mr. Prater and his office does not want this witness to come forward," Slane said.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for the end of the month.

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