MSSC says Chancery Judge Harris must recuse in Singing River Hospital case

Harris out; Mississippi Supreme Court decides special judge will hear SRHS cases

Chancery Judge Neil Harris must remove himself from presiding over cases filed against Singing River Health System, the Mississippi Supreme Court has ordered.

The court plans to appoint a special judge to hear the cases. SRHS asked for Harris’ recusal, maintaining that he could appear to be biased.

Both lawsuits were filed over Singing River Health System’s underfunded pension plan, one by retiree Cynthia Almond and another by current SRHS employees. The court ruled 5-1 in favor of recusal, with Justice Jess Dickinson dissenting. Justices Randy Pierce, Mike Randolph and Josiah Coleman did not participate.

Sunherald
3/26/15