Judge recuses himself from case against police chief
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By The Associated Press
SCOTTSBLUFF — A district judge has recused himself in the criminal case against Crawford Police Chief Rick Thompson.
Box Butte District Court Judge Brian Silverman asked in a court filing earlier this month to have the case reassigned. Silverman will be on extended leave, reportedly because of medical reasons.
Scotts Bluff County Judge Randall Lippstreu will preside over future proceedings in the case.
A Dawes County grand jury indicted Thompson for second-degree assault in the October shooting death of 16-year-old Jesse Britton. Thompson’s attorney has asked to have the charge thrown out.
Britton was shot after Thompson and other officers responded to a report of a possible break-in at a shuttered Crawford bar.
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning has said Thompson shot Britton when Britton didn’t respond to an order to lower his gun.
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