Judge Disqualifies Self From Trial

Second District Court Judge John Bengtson says he will disqualify himself from the Rejena Coghlan trial because of his ties to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

“I have to disqualify myself in fairness to everybody,” he said. “That’s my old college fraternity.”

Beta Theta Pi is one of several groups sued by former University of Idaho freshman Rejena Coghlan, who was paralyzed by falling from a sorority house fire escape following a night of drinking in August 1993. They were accused of supplying alcohol to an underaged person.

Bengtson was a Beta from 1949 to 1954 at Idaho, “back in the dark ages,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be right. I drop by the chapter house on occasion,” Bengtson said. “Even though I feel I could sit fairly and impartially, it just doesn’t look right.”

The change of venue from Ada County to Moscow was approved Jan. 18. Bengtson said he plans to advise 2nd District Judge George Reinhardt III to disqualify him and appoint another judge sometime this week.