On Friday, August 23, 2024, The Smithfield Times reported that Virginia Judge Nicole Belote recused herself from a criminal trial involving Jennifer Boykin of Isle of Wight County and Dawn Jones of Suffolk.
Boykin and Jones had been awaiting trial for over a year to resolve an assault and battery charge filed by Jones against Boykin stemming from a dispute at a Republican Party meeting in March 2023. Judge Belote disclosed to the court that she had a personal friendship with State Senator Emily Jordan, who Boykin had supported for nomination in that same primary election that was the subject of the meeting.
Judge Belote stated that Jordan was also instrumental in Belote’s own appointment as a judge in 2019. Upon this disclosure, special prosecutor Regina Sykes immediately motioned for Judge Belote to recuse herself from the case, citing the appearance of a conflict of interest. While Boykin’s attorney Fred Taylor objected to the recusal, arguing that the case had already been delayed significantly, Judge Belote agreed to recuse herself.
The trial was rescheduled for November 7, 2024. However, there remains a possibility that the chief judge assigned to the case, Robert Barclay IV, may also have to recuse. Judge Barclay, like Judge Belote, was appointed to the bench by a unanimous Senate vote that included Senator Jordan. Adding to the complicated history of the case, the original judge assigned, Hellivi Holland, had already recused and requested a special prosecutor after the Isle of Wight County prosecutor’s office also recused itself.
Boykin’s attorney Taylor expressed frustration with the ongoing delays, asserting his client’s innocence. But special prosecutor Sykes said protecting the integrity and impartiality of the judicial process was paramount.
Source: The Smithfield Times
