After he pleaded guilty to petit and grand larceny, together with some nineteen counts of burglary in the second and third degrees, the County Court of Columbia County sentenced Ron Oakley to 18½ years in prison.
On appeal, Oakley argued that the District Attorney couldn't represent the State because (prior to his election) the latter had been the County Judge who had presided over the trial and imposed sentence.
Finding "merit" in that argument, the Appellate Division, Third Department, granted Oakley's disqualification motion and directed that a special prosecutor be appointed.
Did Oakley get a pass?
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link:People v. Oakley