Case Title: In re Disqualification of Fuerst

Citation: 2001-Ohio-4104

Docket Number: 2001AP082

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2001-09-14T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Fuerst, 94 Ohio St.3d 1237, 2001-Ohio-4104.] 
 
 
IN RE DISQUALIFICATION OF FUERST. 
THE STATE OF OHIO v. MCCAULEY. 
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Fuerst (2001), 94 Ohio St.3d 1237.] 
Judges — Affidavit of disqualification — Judge will not be disqualified based on 
vague and unsubstantiated claims of ex parte communications. 
(No. 01-AP-082 — Decided September 14, 2001.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court 
case Nos. CR407194 and CR407947. 
__________________ 
 
MOYER, C.J.  This affidavit of disqualification filed by Mark E. Sullivan, 
counsel for defendant, seeks the disqualification of Judge Nancy Fuerst from 
further proceedings regarding the above-referenced case, State v. Ernest 
McCauley. 
 
Affiant claims that Judge Fuerst is biased and prejudiced against his client 
because the judge has reviewed search warrant affidavits and grand jury 
testimony and, on August 6, 2001, conducted an ex parte meeting with 
prosecutors and police detectives.  Affiant does not state the substance of the 
alleged discussions or the manner in which they were improper. 
 
Affiant fails to note that Judge Fuerst’s review of the search warrant 
affidavits and grand jury testimony occurred for the purpose of determining 
whether to issue the requested warrants and to rule on the affiant’s motion to 
compel disclosure of allegedly exculpatory evidence that was presented to the 
grand jury.  A judge will not be disqualified based on unsupported allegations of 
misconduct that are based on the regular and proper performance of his or her 
judicial duties. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
 
With regard to the claim of ex parte communications, affiant does not 
disclose the circumstances surrounding the alleged meeting with police and 
prosecutors or provide any evidence in support of his implied assertion that any 
discussions that occurred during this meeting were improper.  Judge Fuerst says 
that she was required to separate the parties after they became involved in “loud, 
heated discussions” and denies that any improper discussions occurred.  A judge 
will not be disqualified based on vague and unsubstantiated claims of ex parte 
communications.  See In re Disqualification of Cacioppo (1996), 77 Ohio St.3d 
1245, 674 N.E.2d 356. 
 
For these reasons, the affidavit of disqualification is found not well taken 
and is denied.  The case shall proceed before Judge Fuerst. 
__________________