Judge Vonda Evans issues surprise retirement statement

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Flamboyant Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Vonda Evans has announced her retirement.

The surprise announcement came Monday afternoon in social media posts. Watch it below or on Facebook here. 

"There comes a time when you have to make a decision whether you turn the page or close the book," she said. "The time has come for me to close the book on being your third circuit court judge."

The often outspoken Evans said she trusts that “our wonderful Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer will appoint her replacement that will continue her legacy of fairness and firmness. 

She said she will continue to be on social media and will be “of council” with a law firm and working on media projects she can't disclose.

Evans, who oversaw her share of high profile cases including the Bob Bashara murder case, fought back tears in her nearly four-minute video. 

She closed with:

"The court room of the honorable Vonda Evans is permanently in recess," she said hitting her gavel one last time. "Thank you Wayne County, I love you."