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New judge will hear case of officer accused in Russian roulette-style death

In a new court filing obtained by 5 On Your Side, St. Louis Judge David Roither has decided to recuse himself from hearing the high-profile case

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis police officer charged with killing his friend and co-worker in a Russian roulette-style game will have a different judge hear his case.

In a new court filing obtained by 5 On Your Side, St. Louis Judge David Roither has decided to recuse himself from hearing the high-profile case.

According to online court records, the case has since been reassigned to Judge Thomas McCarthy.

RELATED: Attorney for officer charged in Russian Roulette-style cop killing wants a different judge

Hendren is charged with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in connection to the Jan. 24 shooting death of fellow St. Louis police officer Katlyn Alix, 24. 

Hendren and his partner, Officer Patrick Riordan, were supposed to be in a different police district patrolling the community at the time. 

But instead, they were all inside Hendren's apartment at 750 Dover Place when the shooting happened just before 1 a.m.

According to court filings, Hendren and Alix were taking turns firing a revolver at each other that had just one bullet inside of it.

RELATED: St. Louis police logs offer insight into final days, hours before Officer Alix's death

Alix was struck in the chest and later died at SLU Hospital, according to court filings. 

Prosecutors said previously they have probable cause to believe drugs and alcohol were involved in the shooting.

Hendren's defense team had previously argued that Judge Roither was biased against their client and has already "pre-determined the outcome of this case." 

In a previously filed motion, attorneys for Hendren argued that Roither "...went on to state his opinion on the allegations, as if his opinions were facts," including stating that "it was not an accident when the defendant pulled the trigger." 

Judge Roither did not acknowledge the allegations of bias or prejudice in his decision to recuse himself.

RELATED: St. Louis police chief vows the department will hourly verify the location of each officer following the shooting death of 24-year-old officer

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