The twists and turns in the aftermath of the hit-and-run death of Eric Keais in Cedartown in September 2019 continue, as now both Tallapoosa Circuit Superior Court Judges have signed an order seeking an outside judicial appointment to oversee the case.

UPDATE:

A judge was appointed this afternoon after the initial posting of this item. Judge Ralph Van Pelt Jr. of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit has agreed to oversee the signing of the warrants and setting of bond in the case, but no other matters before the court as it pertains to the case of State Rep. Trey Kelley and Ryan Dover.

Here’s that order:

Both Chief Judge Meng Lim – who returned to work after his case was not indicted by a grand jury – and Judge Mark Murphy filed an order today with the Superior Court Clerk’s office recusing themselves ahead of signing arrest warrants for Ryan Dover and State Rep. Trey Kelley, both who were indicted by the Grand Jury on Thursday. The District Attorney’s office announced the charges of felony hit and run and reckless conduct against Dover, and a single charge of reckless conduct against Kelley.

The order sought to bring in an outside judge to oversee the case. Both judges filed the order prior to being required to sign arrest warrants and allow Dover and Kelley to turn themselves at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for processing and bail set for their release.

It also asks for the administrative judge of the Seventh District to assign the case to a judge.

Without those warrants being signed, the process is further delayed but unlikely for too long. An appointment for the case is being sought, and as soon as that is completed the warrants can be signed and the case move forward through processing, arraignment, filings and get on the calendar for hearing and eventual trial.

Here’s the order:

District Attorney Jack Browning said that he anticipates the warrants will be signed by a judge on Monday at the latest.

A reckless conduct charge is a misdemeanor in this case. The felony hit-and-run charge that Dover faces could carry a penalty of upward of five years in jail.