By Jef Rietsma Special to Sturgis Journal Cases that come St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton will return to livestream format, following a misunderstanding involving state officials. Meanwhile, Middleton, who has gained an internet following due to a pair of unusual court situations, broke a long silence last week, with a YouTube that focused on the topic of his shoulder-length hair. Middleton said the attention his live feeds have drawn is a distraction that compromises the integrity of the court system. In March, he presided over a case that served as a springboard to his reluctant popularity. The case involved a Sturgis defendant in a domestic violence case. During the Zoom proceeding, attorney Deborah Davis told Middleton she suspected the victim and defendant were in the same room, despite a restraining order. Davis’ hunch proved correct. That court proceeding drew extensive viewership, boosting the number of Middleton’s YouTube followers.