barry county prosecutor leaves terpening case

A major shake up came this morning in the case of Michael Terpening when the Barry County prosecutor's office handed the case over to the Michigan Attorney General's office. Terpening's lawyer was quoted by WWMT as saying, "�I was informed about 8:15 this morning that the prosecutor was going to recuse herself and was advised the Attorney General was going to be here."

The so-called, Justice for Michael Terpening Facebook page falsely reported, "The prosecution has been kicked off the case" in a post early theBarry County Prosecutor leaves Terpening Case

morning of the hearing, February 10, 2012 in Hastings, MI.

This development raises questions about the validity of comments made by Terpening Follower, Jennifer who's accused the prosecutor of contacting Michael Terpening by an assistant prosecutor resulted in an apology made by the assistant prosecutor in front of the judge on the record. (Click here to read about it!)

The salient question yet to be answered is how today's development impacts the criminal case. Terpening's lawyer sought to have the case dismissed based on what he alleges is prosecutorial misconduct. It is important to note the prosecutors deny all allegations and have offered to take lie detectors to prove the allegations being made by the defense are without merit.

This gambit, by the prosecutor, essentially kills the motions by the defense. The defendant was looking to have the case dismissed by saying a lawyer cannot prosecute a case in which they may have to appear as a witness. Now the prosecutors can appear in the case as the Michigan Attorney General will prosecute Michael Terpening.

The move follows additional law enforcement activity reported by the Terpening Followers, including new police interviews with people close to the case and the seizing of tax returns by Michigan State Police. Michael Terpening, Michigan Attorney General

Did Terpening push too hard? One can assume the Attorney General's office has been involved with the case longer than  8:15 AM today when Terpening's lawyer learned Barry County was leaving the case.

Since Mr. Terpening and the Followers have demanded the good offices of the Attorney General come to bear in his prosecution, will he still be able to claim corruption if the case does not go his way?