In re Disqualification of Forchione

{¶ 1} Steven J. Hupp and Ronald A. Margolis, counsel for defendants, have filed affidavits with the clerk of this court under R.C. 2701.03 seeking to disqualify Judge Frank G. Forchione from presiding over further proceedings in case No. 2011-CV-03120, a medical-malpractice and wrongful-death action now pending for trial in the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County.

{¶ 2} Hupp and Margolis allege that Judge Forchione is biased and prejudiced in favor of plaintiff because, at a January 22, 2013 oral hearing, he granted plaintiffs motion to strike defendants’ jury demand. According to Hupp,…