Logan municipal judge dies after fight with marrow disease

LOGAN — The first and only judge appointed to the Logan City Justice Court died Sunday, due to complications from a bone marrow disease, a court official said.

Cheryl Russell, 57, had been diagnosed nearly a year ago with aplastic anemia, a condition that affects blood cell counts, said court administrator Ryan Casperson. But following a successful marrow transplant in June, Russell's weakened immune system could not fight off an infection.

"She was a great boss and a great legal mind," Casperson said. "She always followed the rules and was always trying to be as fair as possible with defendants. Her main concern was to find a way to reach them and help them change their lives."

Russell was appointed Logan City Justice Court judge in January 1992.

She graduated in the BYU law school's charter class in 1997 and served in numerous legal roles in Cache and Rich counties before being appointed to the bench.

In Russell's absence, a number of municipal judges have presided over the Logan court, Casperson said. That could continue until a replacement has been appointed, he said.

— Aaron Falk