FLINT, MI -- A special prosecutor in the Mateen Cleaves sexual assault case said the judge shouldn't be removed from the case because she wasn't involved in Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton's decision to recuse his office.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy took over the case following Leyton's recusal and said there is no basis for Genesee Circuit Judge Celeste Bell to be removed from hearing the case,
Bell worked as corporation counsel in Leyton's office before she was appointed to the bench to replace former Genesee Circuit Judge Archie Hayman, who was initially set to hear the case prior to his retirement.