A Henry County judge dismissed a defense motion Wednesday to disqualify the district attorney from the murder case against Jennifer Rosenbaum.
Police say Rosenbaum beat to death the 2-year-old foster child in her care, Laila Marie Daniel.
Rosenbaum’s attorney, Corinne Mull, argued that DA James Wright had a contentious relationship with Rosenbaum when she was a legal intern in his office last year.
“What we are seeking is a fair trial, a fair investigation and a fair presentation to the grand jury,” Mull said.
Mull said the two had heated arguments and parted on bad terms, which would prejudice Wright against her.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Blair Mahaffee said Wright had very few conversations with Rosenbaum, none of which were contentious. In one, he cautioned her about the office policy to refrain from making political statements on social media.
Superior Court Judge Arch McGarity determined that the motion was “insufficient” and “did not rise to the level of disqualification.”
The DA expects to soon take the case before a grand jury. He is awaiting the formal autopsy on the child.
The judge said he did not expect the case, if indicted, would come to trial until next year, at which time the DA would have completed his term of office. Wright is not seeking re-election.
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