HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Supreme Court has appointed a special judge to preside over the Forrest County case of a former educator and nursery worker accused of 2 sex crimes against children.

The Hattiesburg American reports (http://hatne.ws/SC8hme ) William F. Coleman will conduct proceedings in the two criminal cases of 27-year-old Wesley Craig Topp accused of sexual battery and touching a child for lustful purposes.

The decision to appoint Coleman came after Forrest County Circuit Court Judge Bob Helfrich recused himself from both of Topp's cases immediately after Topp was served his indictment.

In his recusal order, Helfrich said he knows the defendant and his family, and they attend the same church.

Information from: The Hattiesburg American, http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com

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