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| David Tonnessen/ PacificCoastNews.com |
While she cleans up her act, Lindsay Lohan at least won't have to worry about one person breathing down her neck.
Marsha Revel, the Los Angeles Judge who came down hard on the troubled starlet and sent her to jail for failing to abide by the terms of her probation, has recused herself from Lohan's case after prosecutors raised objections to her handling of the case.
"Judge Revel recused herself from this case on Friday," said Los Angeles Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini. "We can't confirm any reason. It's [been] reassigned to Judge [Elden] Fox."
E! News has learned that Revel was pressured by prosecutors into removing herself from overseeing Lindsay's probation.
According to a source, there was a meeting last Friday between District Attorney Danette Meyers, Lohan's lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley and Her Honor where the prosecutor objected to Revel making several phone calls to a rehab clinic without her being present for the communications.
The DA's office took specific issue with the judge selecting the Morningside treatment facility, which was not on the list of recommended facilities for the 24-year-old actress once she was released from the slammer. Instead, Meyers suggested UCLA as the best place for Lohan.
"UCLA was always the first choice for the DA," says the source.
In addition, the source also tells E! News another factor in Revel's decision to step down was when O.J. Simpson Dream Teamer Robert Shapiro, who wasn't even Lohan's attorney of record (but was reportedly representing her), showed up at the courthouse without the district attorney present.
In legal proceedings, usually a judge cannot meet with one side without the other side being present.
Meyers was reportedly all set to file official paperwork formally objecting to Revel remaining on the case when the latter excused herself.
"Bottom line is we objected and she took herself off the case," added the source.
Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Elden S. Fox will now take over. He's had quite a bit of experience handling celebrities scofflaws, having presided over former Prison Break star Lane Garrison's manslaughter case and Winona Ryder's infamous shoplifting trial. (eonline.com)
—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum and Whitney English
