Case ID: ohio-st-3d_42/html/0602-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Moyer, C.J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In re Disqualification of Kilbane: The State of Ohio v. Northern.
    [Cite as In re Disqualification of Kilbane (1989), 42 Ohio St. 3d 602.]
    (No. 88-AP-175
    Submitted February 10, 1989
    Decided February 10, 1989.)
   Moyer, C.J.

The affidavit of disqualification filed herein by petitioner-defendant, Wallace Northern, seeks the disqualification of Judge James P. Kilbane from ruling upon affiant’s petition for post-conviction relief arising from his 1976 conviction. The affidavit in essence alleges that certain actions by Judge Kilbane deprived affiant of a fair trial.

A judge is presumed to follow applicable law in all respects. In re Disqualification of Grigsby (1988), 36 Ohio St. 3d 607, 522 N.E. 2d 461. Alleged errors of law or procedure are legal issues subject to appeal and are not grounds for the disqualification of a judge. In re Disqualification of Light (1988), 36 Ohio St. 3d 604, 522 N.E. 2d 458.

In the absence of evidence of bias, prejudice, or other factors, a judge who presided at trial is not automatically disqualified from hearing a petitioner’s motion to vacate or set aside his sentence. Walters v. United States (S.D.N.Y. 1975), 404 F. Supp. 996, affirmed (C.A. 2, 1976), 542 F. 2d 1166; Schoonover v. State (1978), 2 Kan. App. 2d 481, 483, 582 P. 2d 292, 295. I find no evidence of such bias, prejudice, or other disqualifying factors in the record.

For the foregoing reasons, the affidavit of disqualification is found not well-taken and is hereby dismissed.