Title: In re Disqualification of McDonnell

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as In re Disqualification of McDonnell, 101 Ohio St.3d 1223, 2003-Ohio-7357.] 
 
 
IN RE DISQUALIFICATION OF MCDONNELL. 
HERAKOVIC ET AL. v. CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND ET AL. 
[Cite as In re Disqualification of McDonnell, 101 Ohio St.3d 1223, 2003-Ohio-
7357.] 
Judges — Affidavit of disqualification — Judge not disqualified from case 
involving a religious organization with which the judge is affiliated, when. 
(No. 03-AP-083 — Decided September 15, 2003.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas 
Court, case No. 03CV498709. 
__________________ 
 
MOYER, C.J. 
{¶1} 
This affidavit of disqualification was filed by Jay Milano, counsel 
for plaintiff, seeking the disqualification of Judge Nancy McDonnell from further 
proceedings in the above-captioned case. 
{¶2} 
The underlying case involves allegations of sexual abuse on the 
part of a priest or employee of the Catholic church and the Cleveland Diocese.  
Affiant avers that Judge McDonnell is a member of the Catholic church and thus 
should be disqualified from this case.  Judge McDonnell denies any bias for or 
against a party based on her religious affiliation. 
{¶3} 
This precise issue was addressed in In re Disqualification of Fuerst 
(1996), 77 Ohio St.3d 1253, 674 N.E.2d 361. Under circumstances nearly identical to 
the present case, I declined to order the disqualification of a judge from a case 
involving a religious organization with which the judge is affiliated.  Here, affiant 
fails to provide evidence of bias on the part of Judge McDonnell or any clear basis to 
distinguish the prior holding. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
2 
{¶4} 
For these reasons, the affidavit of disqualification is found not well 
taken and is denied.  The matter shall continue before Judge McDonnell. 
__________________