FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A new judge will be assigned to hear the case of a 9-year-old eastern Arizona boy who killed his father's roommate.
Defense attorney Ron Wood had requested that Apache County Superior Court Judge Michael Roca be taken off the case, claiming he was biased.
A Navajo County judge assigned to hear the request granted it Wednesday afternoon during a hearing in St. Johns.
Judge Tom Wing said he found sufficient grounds to disqualify Roca. He cited conversations Roca had with juvenile probation officials about the case that did not include the attorneys.
The main task for a new judge will be to sentence the boy, who has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the death of the roommate. Prosecutors dropped charges against the boy in his father's killing as part of a plea deal.
