Ill. judge facing heroin, gun charges steps down; probe of colleague's cocaine death continues

Published January 13, 2015

A southwestern Illinois judge whose colleague died of a cocaine overdose while the two were on a hunting trip is stepping down from the bench as he defends himself against federal heroin and gun charges.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael Cook resigned Wednesday through his attorney by letter to the chief judge, John Baricevic. Baricevic (bar-uh-SEV'-ik) says the letter is brief and doesn't offer a reason for Cook's departure.

Cook was charged last Friday with possessing heroin and having a gun while illegally using controlled substances. He's pleaded not guilty.

The Illinois Supreme Court now must pick Cook's replacement.

A fellow judge, Joe Christ (krihst), died of a cocaine overdose in March while with Cook at the Cook family's hunting cabin in western Illinois' Pike County. That probe continues.

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/ill-judge-facing-heroin-gun-charges-steps-down-probe-of-colleagues-cocaine-death-continues