DALLAS (September 24, 2009)--A retired state district and appeals court judge has been assigned to preside over the court battle over the George W. Bush presidential library site at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

John D. McCraw Jr. is a former Collin County state district judge and a former justice on the state's 5th Court of Appeals in Dallas.

Regional Administrative Judge John D. Ovard appointed him after Dallas County state District Judge Martin Hoffman recused himself.

The case centers on claims by former owners of condominiums near the SMU campus.

They contend SMU bullied them into selling their units, but never told them the condominium complex was the university's choice for the Bush library site.

SMU denies the allegations and says it purchased the property legally.