In re Disqualification of Sage

{¶ 1} Defendant Tyree Johnson and his attorney, Kenneth J. Crehan, have each filed affidavits with the clerk of this court under R.C. 2701.03 seeking to disqualify Judge Michael J. Sage from further proceedings in case No. CR201011-1867, a criminal matter now pending in the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County.

{¶ 2} Defendant Johnson and attorney Crehan claim that Judge Sage cannot be impartial in the underlying case because of the judge’s relationship with Jason Phillabaum, a former assistant prosecutor for Butler County who was assigned to Judge Sage’s courtroom for several years.…