WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A settlement conference and jury trial slated this week for St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough has been postponed.
Kalamazoo District Court officials said the delay is pursuant to a local administrative order, discontinuing jury trials when the number of COVID-related cases exceeds a threshold set by the Michigan Supreme Court.
McDonough, 41, was scheduled to appear in a settlement conference today. In the event a resolution would not have been reached during the conference, a jury trial would have then begun.
A tentative date of Jan. 21 for the settlement conference has been set and, if necessary, a jury trial would begin the following day. Court officials stressed both dates are tentative and subject to revision based on COVID-related restrictions at that time.
The case is being handled by Kalamazoo County Judge Vincent Westra.
McDonough is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol stemming from a May incident in Lockport Township.
His 12-year term as prosecutor comes to a close Dec. 31, as McDonough was defeated in August in his bid for re-election by attorney David Marvin.
