Judge Disqualified in Leyton Case

County Chief Probate Judge Jennie E. Barkey has been disqualified from deciding whether the in-laws of county Prosecutor David Leyton need a guardian or conservator to help them with their daily affairs.

Two separate judges’ decisions from outside Genesee County resulted in Barkey being disqualified and the temporary guardians and conservators she appointed for the parents of Leyton’s wife removed.

The probate case came into focus as Leyton ran for Michigan attorney general last fall, in part because county sheriff’s office investigators — the same ones Leyton has used to prosecute others for elder abuse — indicated Leyton’s in-laws had been “neglected” and received minimal care.

Leyton would not comment on the case and has said previously that the case is a matter for his wife’s family to resolve.

Glen Lenhoff, an attorney for Leyton’s brother-in-law, who also opposed the guardianship order, said developments in the case show Barkey took too drastic an action with limited information.

“I think the public should know what a drastic ... deprivation of freedom this is,” Lenhoff said. “The judge ran roughshod over due process. ... I pity other people who go through that court and don’t get a fair shake and don’t have the money to appeal it.”

Full Article and Source:
Genesee Chief Probate Judge Jennie E. Barkey Disqualified From Hearing Case Involving Inlaws of County Prosecutor

See Also:
Judge Appoints Temporary Guardian For Leyton's In-Laws