Judge Howard Simms removed himself from the Frank Reeves murder trial, nearly a week after he removed the defendant's attorney.
Simms removed Veronica Brinson from the Reeves case Sept. 16 after concluding she hadn't provided "effective" representation to Reeves. He then appointed public defender Richard Waller to represent Reeves.
In an order released on Thursday titled, "Order of Voluntary Recusal", Judge Simms says, "The Court now hereby voluntarily recuses itself from this matter so as to eliminate any possible inference(s) of bias and to ensure that the process constitutionally afforded to the Defendant can move forward expeditiously."
In regards to the removal of Ms. Brinson, the most recent order states, "This Court, having entered its order of substitution of counsel and qualified counsel having filed his entry of appearance, is now satisfied that the Defendant's right to effective representation has been provided for."
Reeves is charged with murder in the December 2012 killing of Linda Hunnicutt at a service station on the Gray Highway. Reeves alleged that he shot Hunnicutt after a collision between her car and his motorized wheelchair.
