VIDALIA — Judge Kathy Johnson recused herself Wednesday from the manslaughter trial of Crystal Mae Gordon.

Gordon was indicted on charges of manslaughter in connection with the August 2008 stabbing death of Alex Promise Jr., 27, and the case is nearing trial.

Attorney Derrick Carson, who represents Gordon, filed the motion for Johnson to recuse herself because the judge has close personal and political ties to the victim’s family.

While Johnson said she feels she would be able to be fair and impartial at the trial, she recused herself anyway.

“I have been friends with the Promise family for a long time,” she said.

Under the local courts rule, the case will automatically be transferred to Division B Judge Leo Boothe’s court, Assistant District Attorney Ann Siddall said.

Gordon is accused of stabbing Promise once in the chest with a kitchen knife.

The suspect and the victim — who were reportedly in a romantic relationship — had reportedly been in a fight earlier in the day, and investigators said Gordon told them she had armed herself with the knife in case she needed to defend herself.

The couple was in a vehicle at the time of the stabbing, and investigators said Gordon told them she tried to exit the vehicle as the fight intensified, but Promise grabbed her and she stabbed him in self defense.

The stabbing occurred at 100 Woodmont St., in Ridgecrest, outside the suspect’s grandmother’s residence.

The knife was reportedly later recovered in the mud behind the residence.