I am involved in a criminal case that is very complicated. The judge that is presiding over the case was a practicing lawyer in my hometown. Several years back I had approached him and asked him if he would help me recover some money that was fraudulently stolen from me by my late father and his wife. He informed me that he could not take my case because it would be a conflict of interest for him, because he had closed a deal on a land purchase for my father and his wife a year or so prior to this. He is now the judge in a case involving myself and my late fathers wife. Is there any difference in a conflict of interest as a lawyer and a judge? Because I think he should have stepped down and the judge in this case because of the prior involvement with my step mother. Since he did not do that, is there any way I can get the case thrown out? I am having to represent myself pro-se and can't find any information on this type of case anywhere. Can you help me. I am in Missouri.