Local Judge Won't Recuse Self From 2008 Double Murder TrialLocal Judge Won't Recuse Self From 2008 Double Murder Trial

1/5/13 - 53rd District Court Judge Theresa Brennan will preside over the trial of a man charged in the 2008 double-homicide of his brother and sister-in-law in Oceola Township. Authorities say 66-year-old Jerome Kowalski shot to death Richard and Brenda Kowalski on May 1st, 2008 and then confessed to police but the defense says the confession was only given after a lengthy interrogation. In court on Friday, Defense Attorney Walter Piszczatowski filed a motion seeking to recuse Judge Brennan from the case after finding out that she personally knew witnesses. Brennan denied that motion and the defense then appealed to Livingston County Circuit Court Judge David Reader, who upheld her decision. Jury selection in Kowalski’s murder trial is set to begin on Monday morning in Judge Miriam Cavanaugh’s courtroom in Howell. (JM)