A significant development has arisen in the ongoing criminal case involving Rudy Warnock and Cleveland Anderson, former officials from Canton, Mississippi, as a second judge is now contemplating recusal.
This comes after U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate stepped aside last week due to a conflict of interest related to certain witnesses anticipated to testify in the case.
The case has since been reassigned to Judge Carlton Reeves, who was selected via a random draw.
During a status conference on Monday, Judge Reeves indicated that he too might need to recuse himself, referencing a professional association with attorney Lisa Ross, who is slated to be a witness for the prosecution.
He explained, “She [has been] on my court-ordered recusal list from the day I joined the court, primarily because of relationships, financial, when I was in private practice.”
Furthermore, he added that Ross has also represented family members in the past, making his involvement potentially problematic.
The situation regarding Ross’s current position with the Canton Municipal Utility (CMU) remains uncertain, as she previously acted as their attorney.
In an unrelated inquiry last month regarding CMU, General Manager Howard Young indicated that all media inquiries about the agency would need to go through Ross.
Judge Reeves received the witness list pertinent to the prosecution and defense during Monday’s proceedings.
He acknowledged familiarity with several of the other individuals that the prosecution intends to call.
He pointed out that should he remain presiding over the case, it is unlikely that it would proceed to trial this year, citing a rigorous schedule that includes criminal cases already set for July, August, and October, each likely to last for several weeks.
Expressing concerns, he stated, “It’s a real likelihood that it won’t go forward on my calendar until next year.”
Judge Reeves emphasized the right of both the defense and the public to a speedy trial, insisting the court has an obligation to resolve the matter as expeditiously as feasible.
The trial for Warnock and Anderson was originally scheduled for June 9 but was delayed after Judge Wingate reviewed the witness list during a status conference on May 22.
Details regarding the witnesses were not made public in the courtroom, but defense attorney John Colette mentioned potential witnesses referred to as “the Blackmons” and “Banks,” though their first names were not disclosed.
Lawyers representing Warnock and Anderson were first made aware that Ross would be a witness when prosecutors distributed the witness list on May 21.
They expressed their confusion regarding Ross’s inclusion on the list, as she had not been mentioned in earlier discovery documents.
U.S. Attorney Charles Kirkham responded by explaining that Ross’s name surfaced during the investigation and deemed it prudent to interview her, as she had not been spoken to previously.
Kirkham added, “We did so and immediately notified the parties and made a report.”
In light of the unfolding complexities, Judge Reeves has granted a continuance in the case, delaying proceedings until at least June 23.
He indicated that a status conference would likely be held prior to this date to evaluate whether he will continue overseeing the case.
In the interim, Judge Reeves urged all attorneys involved to file any outstanding motions and to work towards resolving any discovery issues that may be addressed before that date.
“This is a pending matter with a lot of moving parts, and we need to get this to trial,” he stated, underscoring the urgency and importance of the proceedings.
The case against Warnock and Anderson, which has garnered significant public interest, stems from their indictment related to a bribery scheme that also implicated two former Canton aldermen in December 2021.
Warnock faces three counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of honest services wire fraud, while Anderson is charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Notably, Anderson had previously sought to plead guilty to the charges; however, Judge Wingate refused to accept his plea after the court documents indicated that Anderson was unwilling to admit to certain critical elements of the case.
As this legal battle continues to unfold, the questions surrounding witness testimonies and the judges’ roles only add layers to an already complex situation, compelling the parties involved to navigate the intricacies of the judicial process.
This high-profile case will continue to attract scrutiny as it progresses, with many eager to see how the court resolves these emerging challenges.
image source from：https://www.wlbt.com/2025/06/02/second-judge-now-considering-recusal-warnock-bribery-case/
