Judge delays hearing in school child abuse case in Oklahoma

Judge delays hearing in school child abuse case in Oklahoma
(Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com)
PERRY, Okla. (AP) – A judge will consider a relative’s testimony before deciding whether to recuse himself from a school child abuse case in a northern Oklahoma city.
The Oklahoman reports Judge Nikki G. Leach reset a hearing Thursday for Upper Elementary School Principal Kenda Miller because his daughter-in-law, who works at the school, couldn’t appear in court. Leach says he’ll make his decision after listening to her testimony.
Last month, Leach denied prosecutors’ request to remove himself from the case involving the school’s math teacher, Jeffrey Sullins.
Sullins and Miller are charged with misdemeanors for allegedly failing to promptly report child abuse after several girls levied accusations against teaching assistant Arnold Cowen.
Prosecutors say Leach’s daughter-in-law “directly recruited” Cowen, who is facing 18 counts of lewd or indecent proposals or acts on a child.
Leach has recused himself from Cowen’s case.