Ohio court denies judge’s request for new judge in her trial

CINCINNATI (AP) — A convicted juvenile court judge’s request to remove the judge hearing the latest case against her has been denied by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The court ruled today that Hamilton County Judge Tracie Hunter hasn’t shown any basis for removing Judge Patrick Dinkelacker from her new trial to begin June 1 on nine felony charges. She asked that Judge Dinkelacker be removed, arguing that he wouldn’t be impartial.

Judge Hunter was convicted in October of unlawful interest in a public contract and sentenced to six months in jail. She remains free during her appeal.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges that include tampering with evidence and theft in office.

The charges against her now include eight that the first jury couldn’t agree on.