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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Judge Russell E. Steele who presides over Adair, Knox and Lewis counties came under fire on Tuesday.

Representatives Andrew Koenig (R), Paul Curtman (R) and Sylvester Taylor (D) have joined State Representative Zachary Wyatt (R) of Novinger in an effort to impeach Circuit Judge Russell E. Steele of Kirksville.

KTVO spoke with Wyatt via telephone and asked what triggered this impeachment process.

"The tipping point was when he came into my office in an intimidating manner to question why I was looking into some reports. I knew something needed to happen," Wyatt said.

The Articles of Impeachment introduced by Wyatt allege Steele has been accused of violating Missouri Supreme Court Rule 2, Code of Judicial Conduct. What is Missouri Supreme Court Rule 2? A section of it states:  "A judge should be independent, fair and impartial. A judge should maintain the dignity of judicial office and avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. A judge should remain ethical at all times."

KTVO spoke to Steele Tuesday afternoon via telephone, but he was out of the office and had not had a chance to look at all of the information.

Wyatt has requested that the House Resolution be sent to the House Ethics Committee. If passed, Wyatt says the resolution would call for Steele to stand trial before the Missouri Supreme Court.

To view Missouri Supreme Court Rule 2, Click Here. 

View the original story here.