Rhode Island District Federal Court Judge William Smith recused himself from William McCormick's case against the University and two alums earlier this month because his daughter is applying to Brown, according to Joe Cavanagh, a lawyer for the alums named as defendants in the case.
Cavanagh revealed this information during a hearing Friday in Rhode Island Superior Court in which Michael Burch, McCormick's advisor during the disciplinary hearing and a former wrestling coach, was denied a restraining order against one of the alums named as a defendant.
Smith recused himself Jan. 6 after presiding in the case for more than a year. It is highly unusual for judges to recuse themselves in the middle of ongoing litigation, and Smith provided no explanation with his order of recusal.
