Richard Rountree to be assigned new judge in jury trial

Posted on January 30, 2020
Richard Rountree, 31, of Normal. (Photo Normal Police Department)

 

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Richard Rountree’s request for a new judge in his jury trial has been granted.

News partner HOI ABC reports Rountree is being charged with child endangerment in connection to his 8-year-old daughter’s death, was granted the request due to his attorney filing the motion within 10 days of Judge William Yoder being assigned to the case.

Rountree pleaded not guilty to the charge January 17.

The case will now be sent back to Chief Judge Mark Fellheimer for reassignment.

Rountree’s attorney filed a motion in McLean County court asking for a new judge in his jury trial. The motion alleges Judge Yoder “is so prejudiced against the Defendant that the Defendant will be unable to receive a fair hearing if this case is heard before said Judge.”

Rountree’s girlfriend, Cynthia Baker, was found guilty of first-degree murder in Rica Rountree’s death by a McLean County jury in November 2019.

Baker has since had her sentencing vacated as her new attorney gathers information with plans to argue for ineffective counsel during her trial.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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