NEW ORLEANS - The Louisiana Supreme Court has reinstated the judge overseeing the state case against two New Orleans co-defendants of former football player Darren Sharper.

It overturned a state appeal court ruling that the court's method of assigning judges is unconstitutional because the district attorney can manipulate it.

The ruling came in the combined cases against Erik Nunez and former St. Bernard Parish sheriff's deputy Brandon Licciardi (lih-CHAR-dee) and against Tyrone Brown, whose case is not related to Sharper's.

Sharper has pleaded guilty to three rapes in Louisiana.

Nunez is accused of participating in two rapes.

Licciardi is charged in a third rape and with human trafficking and battery.

Brown is accused of two rapes, two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and two of sexual battery.