A Hamilton County judge recused himself from the case of a woman he jailed for providing a “questionable” COVID-19 test result.
“I think that there isn’t any need to recuse myself, but I will happily send this to Judge (Lila) Statom,” General Sessions Court Judge Larry Ables said at a Monday hearing. “I’m only recusing myself because I’ve talked to another judge who said that she could hear it this morning.”
Ables granted the motion requested by Jessica Lucious’ attorney after he jailed her for missing court and calling her positive COVID-19 test result as the reason for her absence “questionable.”
“She didn’t come to court, and then she came in later and had an excuse that was questionable,” Ables said Monday before recusing himself. “And so she was taken into custody and then she was released subsequent to that.”
Lucious is facing a vandalism charge for allegedly destroying property inside a spa in June 2022 after she was not hired, according to a sworn affidavit seeking Lucious’ arrest by the Chattanooga Police Department. She missed a court date May 1 after she said she tested positive for COVID-19.
Lucious was instructed by her bondsman to go to court with the COVID-19 test. On May 4, she appeared before Ables and provided the court with the positive test result as an excuse to her absence, according to court records.
“She came in with her bondsman, and there was some paperwork … It seemed to be questionable. My office had called, and the paperwork appeared to be not legitimate, therefore not excusing her,” Ables said Monday.
Read more at https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/jul/17/judge-recuses-himself-from-case-of-woman-he/
