Black judge removed from Philando Castile shooting case

Attorneys for Jeronimo Yanez invoked their right to remove a judge from his trial for killing Philando Castile, the black man Yanez and a partner pulled over in Falcon Heights this past July.

In a court filing Thursday evening, Yanez's defense moved for Judge Edward Wilson to be stricken, and a new judge appointed to hear the case against Yanez, who is charged with second-degree manslaughter and two other felonies. Attorney Earl Gray told the Pioneer Press the decision was based on "research" as well as his "personal experience."

Ramsey County prosecutors aren't able to challenge the motion; each side can file to remove one judge from a case, and the request is automatically granted.

Taking Wilson off the bench was necessary for Yanez to get a "fair trial," according to Gray. The noted Twin Cities defense attorney said he'd argued before Wilson before, but couldn't cite why the judge would be unable to give the police officer a fair trial.

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