On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Louisiana Supreme Court granted a request to recuse both judges from Beauregard Parish in the case against former DeRidder mayor Misty Roberts Clanton. The decision came after the court overruled prior denials from lower courts regarding the recusal request made by Roberts’ legal team.
Misty Roberts Clanton, who resigned from her position in July 2024, faces serious allegations involving an inappropriate sexual relationship with a minor. She was arrested shortly after her resignation and indicted later that year on charges of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor. In April 2025, her indictment was amended to include an additional charge of felony indecent behavior with a juvenile.
Roberts’ attorney, Adam Johnson, argued for the recusal of judges Martha O’Neal and C. Kerry Anderson, citing their alleged connections to Roberts’ ex-husband. Johnson claimed that Judge O’Neal had inappropriately contacted Roberts’ ex prior to a custody case involving their children, while Judge Anderson was described as a friend and in-law of the ex-husband. These claims were initially dismissed by the 36th Judicial District Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeal.
In its ruling, the Louisiana Supreme Court determined that the totality of the circumstances indicated the judges might not be able to conduct the case impartially. The court emphasized that there had been no evidence of actual bias from the judges, but the potential for perceived bias warranted their recusal.
Following the ruling, Roberts’ attorneys expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision, highlighting the importance of a fair trial. They noted that the judges had previously denied the recusal request without a hearing and that the Supreme Court’s ruling reinforced the constitutional requirement for impartiality in judicial proceedings.
The defense maintains Roberts’ innocence, asserting that she was arrested based on false allegations, and they are confident that the truth will emerge as the case progresses. The matter will now be reassigned to a different judge for further proceedings.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
