McCurtain County Judge Seeks Reassignment From Child Custody Case

BROKEN BOW, Okla. (AP) -- A McCurtain County judge who granted full custody of a child to a registered sex offender has asked to be reassigned from the case.<br/><br/>District Judge Willard Driesel said

Tuesday, August 1st 2006, 6:06 am

By: News On 6

BROKEN BOW, Okla. (AP) -- A McCurtain County judge who granted full custody of a child to a registered sex offender has asked to be reassigned from the case.

District Judge Willard Driesel said Monday that Associate District Judge Michael DeBerry asked to be taken off the case involving Dustin Mitchell Seymour and his former wife, Joni May Nelson.

Seymour is a registered sex offender but DeBerry in June granted him custody of his six-year-old and four-year-old sons on grounds that he could best provide for the children. He ruled that Nelson had moved several times and wouldn't provide a stable environment.

Nelson's attorney filed a motion to reconsider the ruling.

Seymour pleaded guilty last year to a reduced charge of sexual battery stemming from his relationship with a 14-year-old girl to whom he is now married.

Driesel says it's not unusual for the judge to asked to be removed when questions arise in a highly publicized and controversial case.