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Two judges from district courts throughout the state served as visiting judges on the Supreme Court of Ohio today hearing oral arguments in three cases. The judges were selected by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to sit in place of Justice Alice Robie Resnick who recused herself from the three cases.
Sitting on the Court today were Judge William A. Klatt of the 10th District Court of Appeals and Judge John F. Fain of the 2nd District Court of Appeals.
Judge Klatt heard arguments in the first and second cases. Stridsberg v. GEICO General Insurance Company, Case No. 2005-2128, examines the question of whether a college student, who is paying in-state tuition, but whose parents have moved out-of-state, is disqualified as a “resident” of her parent's auto insurance policy. Discount Cellular, Inc. et al v. Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Case Nos. 2005-2209, 2005-2368, 2005-2369 and 2005-2370, addresses competition rules in Ohio's cell phone industry.
Judge Fain heard the arguments in the third case. Disciplinary Counsel v. Watterson, Case No. 2006-1198, involves Canton attorney Tim M. Watterson who faces an indefinite suspension of his law license for multiple violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Supreme Court bar governance rules.
According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can select any of the 68 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.
“We are pleased to have these judges join us today,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “Their participation provides the parties in the case with a court of seven justices despite the recusal of Justice Resnick.”
Archived video of cases argued before the Supreme Court of Ohio since March 2004 are available at: www.supremecourtofohio.gov/videostream.
For a high resolution, publication-quality photo of Judge Klatt, please click on the above photo or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/2006/klatt_highres.zip.
For a high resolution, publication-quality photo of Judge Fain, please click on the above photo or visit: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/Communications_Office/Press_Releases/2006/fain_highres.zip.
Contact: Andrea M. Strle at 614.387.9250.