In a ruling Thursday, Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Ann Bailey Smith ruled that District Court Judge Stephanie Burke “erroneously” booted Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connel and his office off the attempted extortion case against Richard Hardacre “with no legal cause to do so.”

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Ann Bailey Smith said outside prosecutors can handle the case while she decides whether the decision to kick County Attorney Mike O'Connell's office off the district court case was proper.