Case Title: In re Disqualification of Sadler

Citation: 2002-Ohio-7472

Docket Number: 02AP035

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2002-03-29T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Sadler, 100 Ohio St.3d 1220, 2002-Ohio-7472.] 
 
 
 
 
Opinion in Chambers, per Moyer, C.J. 
 
IN RE DISQUALIFICATION OF SADLER. 
THE STATE OF OHIO v. ZERLA. 
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Sadler, 100 Ohio St.3d 1220, 2002-Ohio-
7472.] 
Judges — Affidavit of disqualification — No prejudice shown based solely on 
claim that judge’s colleague prosecuted affiant eleven years earlier. 
(No. 02-AP-035 — Decided March 29, 2002.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION in Franklin County Common Pleas Court 
case No. 90 CR 4398. 
__________________ 
 
MOYER, C.J. 
{¶1} 
This affidavit of disqualification filed by defendant, Terrance E. 
Zerla, seeks the disqualification of Judge Lisa L. Sadler and all Franklin County 
judges from further proceedings in the above-captioned matter. 
{¶2} 
Affiant claims that the participation of Judge Sadler and her 
colleagues in the underlying matter creates an appearance of impropriety based 
primarily on the fact that affiant was prosecuted in 1990 by Dan Hogan, who now 
serves on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.  A judge is presumed to 
be fair and impartial and able to decide cases pending before him or her in 
accordance with the law and without regard to personal considerations. See In re 
Disqualification of Kilpatrick (1989), 47 Ohio St.3d 605, 546 N.E.2d 929. Absent 
extraordinary circumstances or clear evidence of bias or prejudice, a judge will 
not be disqualified from a pending matter based solely on a claim that a current 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
colleague of the judge prosecuted affiant more than eleven years ago.  Affiant has 
failed to demonstrate circumstances or provide evidence to suggest that Judge 
Sadler’s disqualification is warranted. 
{¶3} 
For these reasons, the affidavit of disqualification is found not well 
taken and denied.  The case shall proceed before Judge Sadler. 
__________________