Okla. Judge Denies DA’s Blanket Recusal Motion, Filed Under Seal

An Oklahoma judge swiftly denied yesterday a motion by a prosecutor seeking his recusal in all criminal cases in which the Cleveland County district attorney's office is involved.

Cleveland County District Judge Tom Lucas took less than a minute to make the ruling yesterday, in a courtroom packed with attorneys curious about the unusual proceeding, then left the bench, reports the Oklahoman.

In a motion filed under seal in a child molestation case, the DA's office contended that Lucas is prejudiced against the prosecution due to an active child molestation investigation in which a member of his family is involved.

The DA's office is expected to seek a rehearing on the recusal request before another judge and potentially appeal.