Fulton County Superior Court

***EFILED***NY
Date: 7/17/2024 9:52 AM
Che Alexander, Clerk

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF FULTON COUNTY

STATE OF GEORGIA

STATE OF GEORGIA
INDICTMENT 22SC183572
v.

CHRISTIAN EPPINGER et al.

ORDER OF RECUSAL

On or about June 1, 2023, Christian Eppinger (one of 18 defendants) was severed from the

ongoing YSL RICO trial on the criminal action that was recently transferred to this Court by

random assignment. Although there is no severance order in the record, the Court was apprised

of the circumstances that directly led to Eppinger’s severance. More specifically, the deputy

assigned to and responsible for the courtroom and personal security of the undersigned for nearly

six months, was arrested. Said deputy, who was still assigned to this Court at the time of her arrest,

is accused of (1) colluding with Defendant Eppinger (during the current trial) to commit a felony

and (2) endangering the safety of citizens within the Fulton County courthouse.1 Because this

Court’s former assigned deputy could be called as a witness in any future proceedings in this case,

the Court may be called upon to assess this deputy’s credibility, or rule on matters related to her

criminal prosecution. This may undermine the public’s confidence in the impartiality of the

proceedings.

While the Court does not regard the aforementioned situation as creating any actual bias

for or against any party to this case, the Court does view this as a matter that could cause a

reasonable person to question the Court’s impartiality and reasonably give rise to the appearance

1
State of Georgia vs. Akeiba Stanley, 23CP219048.

1
of impropriety should the Court remain on this case.

Rule 2.11 of the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC) provides that “Judges shall

disqualify themselves in any proceeding in which their impartiality might reasonably be

questioned.” Commentary 2 to that rule provides that judges “should disclose on the record, or in

open court, information that the court believes the parties, or their lawyers might consider relevant

to the question of disqualification, even if they believe there is no legal basis for disqualification.”

Thus, after careful consideration, and consistent with CJC Rule 1.2(A) (promoting public

confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary), and CJC Rule 2.11(A) (requiring

disqualification when the public might reasonably question a judge’s impartiality), the undersigned

hereby recuses herself from this criminal action.

The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to reassign this criminal action to another judge.

SO ORDERED this 17th day of July 2024.

___________________________________
Shukura L. Ingram
Superior Court of Fulton County
Atlanta Judicial Circuit

Filed and served via eFileGA.