9th Judicial District Judge Thomas Yeager recuses Judge J.P. Mauffrey Jr . Appearance of impropriety exists , Yeager finds . Six black Jena High School students are accused of beating a white student . `` Indeed , Judge Mauffrey has expressed his belief generally that Jesse Ray [ Beard ] and his African-American friends are guilty , not only of the misconduct alleged in this matter , but of several other acts of misconduct as well , '' according to court documents filed in the case . The judge is forced to step down and the case goes before an all-white jury.
9th Judicial District Judge Thomas Yeager recuses Judge J.P. Mauffrey Jr . Appearance of impropriety exists , Yeager finds . Six black Jena High School students are accused of beating a white student . The judge is forced to step down and the case goes before an all-white jury.