It's a first for newly-appointed Judge Cory Crenshaw.
Just a day after his swearing-in ceremony to serve as County Court-at-law #2, Crenshaw has refused to recuse himself from a case.
Clifford Sanders is accused of resisting arrest following a traffic stop in Beaumont last November, and claims Crenshaw needs to recuse himself because Crenshaw was serving as the Jefferson County District Attorney when the case was filed.
Sanders' attorney cites a state law stating no judge shall sit any case where he has been counsel for the state.
Crenshaw was appointed to serve as district attorney in January of 2014 after Tom Maness retired.
When appointed last month by commissioners, there was concern that because of his role as DA, there would be many cases Crenshaw would have to opt out of presiding over. But current DA Bob Wortham told 12News there would only be two or three that would be of concern.
