Hearing set on motion seeking new judge in St. John trial

LOCK HAVEN, PA – A hearing has been set for Thursday, July 7 at 1:30 p.m. on a prosecution request seeking a new judge in the pending Brian St. John III murder trial.

Clinton County District Attorney David Strouse filed a motion in Clinton County Court last month, seeking President Judge Craig Miller to recuse himself from the scheduled homicide trial because of ties to the defendant’s mother and his friendship with one of the defense attorneys.

The family of the victim, Jakob Lee Haines, is reported 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, the district attorney stated in his recusal motion.

St. John is accused of fatally shooting Haines, 21, of Beech Creek, on Feb. 26, 2021, during a gathering in at the St. John home in Woodward Twp. The accused has been in custody at the Clinton County Correctional Facility since his arrest shortly after the incident.

Jury selection is scheduled for July 14 and 15; the trial scheduled for an Aug. 15 start date.