WARREN  The criminal case against Liberty Township Trustee Devon Stanley is on pause after all elected judges in the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas said they couldn't preside over the matter.

The judges formally asked the Ohio Supreme Court this week to appoint a visiting judge to take over the proceedings due to possible conflicts of interest in the Stanley case.

According to court records, Thomas Teodosio, a retired judge with Ohio's 9th District Court of Appeals, has been assigned to hear the case.

Stanley is charged with felonious assault following allegations that he assaulted his wife. He is being held without bond in the Trumbull County Jail.

Court records show that the Common Pleas judges notified the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court that they believe they are all ineligible to hear the case.

Judges stepping away from a case, a process known as recusal, happens when their impartial judgment might be questioned. In local courts, conflicts can often arise when the accused or their attorney has close professional or personal ties with the judge.

In addition to being a trustee, Stanley holds two other taxpayer-funded positions within the county. He also works as the chief deputy clerk of courts for Trumbull County and is an assistant prosecutor for the City of Girard.

Because Stanley holds multiple public offices, the likelihood of potential conflicts of interest for local officials, including judges, increases.

Following his arrest, the City of Girard's law director said Stanley is not working for the city, and the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts said the office would consider administrative leave.

Stanley’s case was sent to the Trumbull County Grand Jury earlier this week after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Niles Municipal Court. By waiving the hearing, his case was immediately "bound over" to the grand jury.

A grand jury will now review the evidence to decide whether there is sufficient cause to formally indict Stanley on the felony charge. During his arraignment, a judge denied bond, citing concerns for the alleged victim.

Stanley and his attorney have denied the allegations. He remains in the Trumbull County Jail until the next steps in the legal process can move forward under the direction of an appointed visiting judge.