PRESTONSBURG — The controversy surrounding the Martin mayor’s race continues to unfold this week, as a hearing is scheduled for Friday in the Floyd County Circuit Court.

According to court officials, a motion seeking a restraining order to prevent Mayor Sam Howell from acting in an official capacity was filed by former Mayor Thomasine Robinson’s attorney and will be heard in circuit court Friday morning.

Sam Howell was sworn in last week as mayor, following last week’s hearings in which no conclusions were reached. Martin assumed the role mayor Monday.

According to County Attorney Keith Bartley, a restraining order is only granted when it can be shown that to not do so would create irreparable harm.

During last Friday’s court hearing, Judge John David Caudill recused himself from the proceedings after disclosing that he had an ongoing friendly relationship with Thomasine Robinson over the years, and that he also voted in the John Possum precinct.

Chief Circuit Judge William Engle III of Perry County has been appointed to handle the case.

Robinson is seeking a recount in the mayor’s race in which she lost to challenger Howell by a margin of three votes. The initial margin was five votes, but following a recanvass, Robinson picked up two previously uncounted absentee ballots, which brought the total to 161 for Howell and 158 for Robinson.

Motions in the case will be heard Friday at 11 a.m. in Floyd Circuit Court.