Judge in Charles Bediako case recuses himself over Alabama ties
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Judge James H. Roberts, who was originally overseeing Crimson Tide basketball player Charles Bediako’s fight for eligibility, has recused himself from the case, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The move comes after Roberts was revealed to be an Alabama donor.
Last week, Bediako was granted a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play for the Crimson Tide immediately. On Monday, that 10-day TRO was extended another 10 days due to weather issues. The same afternoon, the NCAA filed the motion for Roberts to recuse himself from the case.
“The NCAA… does not currently contend the Court has an actual bias, partiality, or prejudice,” it wrote on Monday, according a report from AL.com. “Similarly, the NCAA does not allege that any actual bias motivated the Court’s granting of a [TRO]. Instead, the NCAA contends that proceeding in this Court has created an impermissible appearance of impropriety because of the intense media scrutiny and public speculation surrounding the Court’s relationship with the University of Alabama.”
Bediako has scored 13 and 14 points, respectively, in his 2 appearances since returning to the Crimson Tide. He’ll continue to be on the basketball court until the judicial court does its thing. Alabama plays at No. 19 Florida on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET (ABC).
