Judge leaves case of mom accused of drowning son

Another surprise turn of events in the case of a Montreal woman charged with drowning her eight-year-old son in Vermont.

The judge in the case has recused himself from the case.

Court officials with the Vermont District Court in Grand Isle County say Judge Ben Joseph has also issued a gag order.

Fifty-year-old Louise Desnoyers is charged with first-degree murder in the 2006 drowning death of her son in Lake Champlain.

Police say she was distraught over an impending breakup with the boy's father.

No reason was given for why Joseph recused himself from the case or issued the gag order, applicable to all lawyers and law enforcement officials involved in the case.

The case was before the courts today to find out whether Desnoyers was fit to stand trial.