Judge Recuses Himself on Some SRHS Cases

There are new developments tonight in the lawsuit over Singing River Health System retirees’ benefits. Judge Breland Hilburn is resigning from presiding over some of the state cases. News 25’s Shelby Myers shows us what local attorneys involved in the lawsuit have to say about today’s news.

It would seem another curveball has been thrown into the dramatic SRHS lawsuits. Attorneys Harvey Barton and Earl Denham, who represent about 200 pension members, have asked for the recusal of Judge Breland Hilburn and others in the case after recording footage of an alleged secret meeting. “Everybody that was connected to that secret ex-parte meeting needs to be disqualified,” said Barton.

Disqualifying himself, Judge Hilburn will resign from the six cases filed by Barton and Denham. He wrote this in his recusal order: “After due consideration, it is the finding of the court that there is now a question as to whether the court can maintain impartiality in presiding over the above styled cases.”

Judge Hilburn will still remain on cases filed by two other law firms, one being the Biloxi based Reeves and Mestayer. Attorney Matthew Mestayer said, “We regret that the accusations against him have risen to the level  that this is something he felt he needed to do but at the same time, we’re happy that he’s staying on the remainder of the cases.”

Reeves and Mestayer also sent out this response: “We regret that the dishonest conduct of two attorneys has created a situation where Judge Hilburn needed to resign in those cases. “

One of those attorneys they are referring to is Harvey Barton. Barton tells News 25 Judge Hilburn’s resignation isn’t enough. “This judge is tainted. He shouldn’t be the judge in any state cases, federal cases. He can hide but he can’t run. We’re not through. We’re going to the Supreme Court.”

For now, the Supreme Court will have to appoint a new judge to preside over Barton and Denham’s cases before they can continue in court. A time when Barton says the truth will come out. “We’ll find out come fairness hearing what happens”

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