Strouse asks judge to recuse himself from St. John trial

LOCK HAVEN – Clinton County District Attorney David Strouse wants a new judge for the pending Brian St. John III murder trial. PennLIVE posted the story on Thursday:

The prosecution wants a Clinton County judge to recuse himself from a homicide trial because of his ties to the defendant’s mother and his friendship with one of the defense attorneys.

The family of Jakob Lee Haines is strongly of the opinion there is at least an appearance of impropriety considering the circumstances and believes an alternate trial judge is required in the interest of fairness and justice, District Attorney David A. Strouse stated in the recusal motion.

President Judge Craig Miller is scheduled to preside over the jury trial for Brian St. John III in July.

Before then he will hold a hearing and then decide whether to recuse himself, court administrator Don Powers said Thursday.

A 1983 court ruling stated recusal is a matter of individual discretion or conscience and only the judge being asked to recuse himself may properly respond to the request.

St. John is accused of fatally shooting Haines, 21, of Beech Creek, on Feb. 26, 2021, during a gathering in a home in Woodward Twp. across the Susquehanna River from Lock Haven.