NEW ORLEANS , Louisiana ( CNN ) -- A Louisiana appeals court has removed a Lasalle Parish judge from the remaining `` Jena Six '' cases , court officials told CNN Friday . Protesters gather at Jena High School during a civil rights march on September 20 , 2007 , in Jena , Louisiana . Attorneys for four of the defendants had asked 9th Judicial District Judge Thomas Yeager to recuse Judge J.P. Mauffrey Jr . They said Mauffrey `` had made numerous statements on numerous occasions '' indicating he had already decided on a defendant 's guilt and punishment . `` 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 . A court official said Friday Yeager had found that the appearance of impropriety existed and recused Mauffrey . Beard is one of six black Jena High School students accused of beating a white student during a school fight on December 4 , 2006 . The case drew national headlines when the teens initially were charged with second-degree attempted murder after they allegedly knocked out Justin Barker while stomping and kicking him . After the charges triggered protests , they were reduced to aggravated second-degree battery . One of the teens , Mychal Bell , reached a plea agreement on a battery charge in juvenile court . Dale Hickman , an attorney who represents another youth , Bryant Purvis , told CNN Mauffrey 's removal was good news for his case . The judge tended to view the group as `` six thugs '' and not individuals , he said . Hickman added he would be concerned about the outcome of a trial held before Mauffrey if his client waived his right to a jury . CNN 's Sean Callebs contributed to this report .
9th Judicial District Judge J.P. Mauffrey Jr recuses Judge Thomas Yeager . Appearance of impropriety exists , Yeager finds . Thousands black CNN students are accused of beating a white student . Thousands marched through Jena Friday to protest handling of case .