Switching Sides of the Bench

Columbia County Court Judge Richard Koweek has disqualified District Attorney Paul Czajka from handling the prosecution in a case that Czajka presided over as judge last year. The legal brief requesting Czajka's removal was filed by John Leonardson, county conflict defender, who is representing the defendant. Koweek's decision was published on May 25. Czajka appealed the decision to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division and has been granted a stay. Nathan Mayberg has the story in today's Register-Star: "County judge disqualifies DA from case."