Motion To Remove Judge From OSU Athletic Village Case Is Denied

Thursday, January 11th 2007, 5:59 am

By: News On 6

PERRY, Okla. (AP) -- A Noble County judge rules that a Payne County judge still can hear an eminent domain case connected with Oklahoma State University's planned athletic village.

Homeowners Kevin and Joel McCloskey, who own the last piece of property sought by the university for the village, had asked that Payne County District Judge Donald Worthington be removed from the case.

They say he has already decided on its result.

Noble County District Judge D.W. Boyd denied the McCloskeys' request.

OSU spokeswoman Carrie Hulsey-Green says the university thinks Worthington is qualified to hear the case and will be fair.

Harlan Hentges, the McCloskeys' attorney, has said he would appeal Boyd's decision if it went against the wishes of his clients.