Anoka County retired Judge Daniel Kammeyer recused himself when, chosen as a judge from outside of the locale, he believed a potential conflicted situation existed. Now they need a judge, and apparently Norman is insisting on a speedy trial rule or making such a request - this excerpt:
Former Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman, 57, appeared in Freeborn County for a contested hearing to work out issues before a trial on charges that he misused a city credit card.
But the retired judge assigned to Freeborn County couldn't hear the case.
Norman had previously requested speedy hearings within 28 days and that timeline runs out on Friday.
Multiple times in court frustrations were expressed by both Norman and his attorney Peggy Rockow, over this case getting delayed time and again. They noted that Norman can't apply for new employment and that his life is on hold.
They are hoping to find a judge to come to Freeborn County and hear the matters as soon as Monday or Tuesday morning, if not they hope a judge in counties like Steele or Mower could hear arguments and then a new trial date can be set.
Norman became Albert Lea's City Manager last May, he was placed on paid leave last September, and a "separation agreement" was signed between Norman and the City later that month.
Who you gonna call? Ghost Busters? My candidate as a special assignment judge to hear the case is the presently in limbo Hennepin County District Judge Patricia Kerr Karasov, who reportedly is amenable to a long commute to reach a courthouse outside of the county in which she resides.
Before his reluctant retirement from full time duty, Kammeyer was one of the most astute District Court judges in Minnesota, serving Anoka County for decades. I am aware of one case involving City of Ramsey where Kammeyer quite aptly cut down a blowing smoke landowner's opinion of value in a road condemnation case, (extending Highway 116 from Ramsey Blvd to Armstrong), and a theft of business case arising in Anoka County, involving a long-time trusted employee who was proved to have been wrongly trusted and to have breached a fiduciary covenant of loyalty to his employer. As in biting the hand that fed him.
______________UPDATE______________
I erred. Kammeyer was judge on a condemnation to widen Armstrong Blvd., and that's the one I recall his handling owner opinion (not the condemnation to extend Hwy. 116). It was an earlier case. Kammeyer might also have had the Hwy 116 extension case; where I read in a deposition in the court file of junk auto parts of unknown origin that showed up, the landowner claiming the contractor used bad fill. I think somebody at some point owned a used car lot.