AUSTINTOWN Mahoning County Court Judge Scott Hunter has excused himself from presiding over the domestic violence case against Austintown Township trustee candidate Emily Ciccone.

Judge Hunter filed a judgment entry on Tuesday, recusing the court and requesting a visiting judge to hear the case.

The alleged victim in the case is Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone, whose office provides services to the Mahoning County Courts.

Judge Hunter requested that a visiting judge be assigned under the Supreme Court of Ohio’s guidelines.

Emily Ciccone pleaded not guilty to the first-degree misdemeanor charge Monday afternoon. Her lawyer also filed a notice of intent to claim self-defense.

She was arrested last week following an altercation at her Austintown home, where police say

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