Washington court officials are searching for a new judge to oversee the sexual misconduct trial of former Asotin County Superior Court Judge Scott Gallina after the fifth, and latest, judge disqualified himself.
At an online hearing yesterday (Tue), Yakima County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Swan granted the state attorney general’s request for a new judge.
Swan’s decision to step down will likely cause another delay in the trial, which has been put on hold numerous times since Gallina was charged in 2019 for second-degree rape, indecent liberties and third-degree assaults with sexual motivations.
The Administrative Office of the Courts, based in Olympia, is now tasked with finding another judicial officer to handle the trial, which will take place in Asotin County. (Lewiston Tribune)
