Visiting judge picked for civil suitSCOTT TRUXELL/independent editorA visiting judge has been appointed to preside over court proceedings involving a Van Wert man convicted of a sex crime involving a young child. Retired Visiting Judge Stephen Bruns of Preble County has been appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to sit on the bench for the civil trial of David Bradford. In court filings dated July 30, Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge Martin D. Burchfield noted he is unable to preside over the case due to a conflict. While the matter is public record, the VW independent has chosen not to publish the names of the plantiffs. Bradford is the husband of Van Wert County Auditor Jamie Bradford, who is not named in the lawsuit.