A judge will be transferred out of the Domestic Violence Division of Cook County Circuit Court at his own request, following harsh criticism after the judge released a man who later allegedly killed his wife.

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans says recent tragedies have prompted changes in domestic violence court. The big picture: Evans is promising more collaboration with prosecutors and interviews with victims after the court came under scrutiny because of two high-profile cases last year.

Court records show Christopher John Bivins Jr., 31, was sentenced Tuesday to nine months in jail followed by four years of probation on charges of domestic violence by strangulation, grand theft and criminal mischief. Bivins received three days of a credit for time served.