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Judge: Prosecutor's office will remain on Quinn James murder case

James' attorney argued that a past relationship he had with someone from the Kent County Prosecutor's Office is a conflict of interest.

KENT COUNTY, Mich. - Kent County Circuit Judge George Quist says the Kent County Prosecutor's Office will remain on the Quinn James murder case despite his attorney arguing there was a conflict of interest because James once dated a victim advocate from that office.

James is accused of killing 16-year-old East Kentwood student, Mujey Dumbuya. He allegedly raped her in 2017, and investigators say they believe he killed her to prevent her from testifying against him.

In court on Friday, an assistant prosecutor said that the brief relationship James had with the victim-witness advocate from the prosecutor's office wasn't an issue when it was disclosed to James' attorney in November, and it shouldn't be an issue now.

"It's not that big of a deal. It's an ex-boyfriend from six months or more ago who she doesn't have contact with," said Kent County Assistant Prosecutor James Benison. "What we have done here is given vent to speculation that is completely unsupported by the evidence.''

►Related: Forensic exam not warranted for man accused of killing Kentwood teen

But James' attorney said he believes the relationship is a conflict of interest.

"Prosecutors get off cases all the time to avoid the appearance of impropriety," said defense attorney Jonathan Schildgen. "And what can the court do, if anything, to ensure that not only does Mr. James get a fair trial, but that it is perceived fair by him and the community.''

Judge Quist said the prosecutor's office did not handle the situation perfectly, but he thinks they should remain on the case. "I do not believe there is a sufficient basis to recuse the prosecuting attorney's office or any of the assistant prosecutors assigned to this case," he said from the bench on Friday.

The court will issue an official written opinion on the case next week.

James is awaiting trial in three cases, including felony murder for the strangulation of Dumbuya. The first trial is set to begin on Oct. 1.

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