OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma lawmaker isn't pushing for a vote on a resolution to oust a judge who approved probation for a man who admitted raping a 13-year-old Texas girl at a church camp in southern Oklahoma.
Republican Rep. Mike Ritze tells The Oklahoman newspaper he's putting the resolution on hold so lawmakers can focus on other issues, including the state budget.
The resolution wouldn't be legally binding. But it asks the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary to begin proceedings to remove District Judge Wallace Coppedge.
It says Coppedge neglected his duty in accepting a plea agreement with Benjamin Petty, who was sentenced to 15 years' probation after pleading guilty to the 2016 attack.
The prosecutor in the case says he didn't seek prison time because Petty is legally blind. The prosecutor resigned amid backlash.
Coppedge hasn't commented on the case