A hearing on misdemeanor charges against Mathews County supervisor Mike Walls that was scheduled for Monday has been continued to Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. after the judge who was scheduled to oversee the case cited an unnamed conflict of interest.

Walls was charged with assault, disorderly conduct, and abusive language earlier this month following an alleged confrontation on May 6 with Billy Cook, a candidate for the Mathews Board of Supervisors. An emergency protective order was issued prohibiting Walls from being in Cook’s physical presence through Monday’s initial court date.

After Judge Stephanie M. Revere determined that she had a conflict, Williamsburg/James City County Presiding Judge Joshua DeFord was asked to decide whether to issue a preliminary protective order, and he did so, said Mathews Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Bowen. The order will be in effect until June 12 at 9:45 a.m., when Bowen expects that it will once again be continued, this time to the hearing date, Sept. 11.

Bowen has recused himself from the case. It will instead be handled by special prosecutor Nathan Green, commonwealth’s attorney of Williamsburg/James City County. Walls is being represented by Samantha Bohannon of Bohannon & Associates of West Point.