Tenth District Court of Appeals Judge William A. Klatt (top) and Sixth District Court of Appeals Judge James D. Jensen (bottom)

Tenth District Court of Appeals Judge William A. Klatt (top) and Sixth District Court of Appeals Judge James D. Jensen (bottom)

Tenth District Court of Appeals Judge William A. Klatt and Sixth District Court of Appeals Judge James D. Jensen served as visiting judges on the Ohio Supreme Court today and heard oral arguments in two separate cases. 

Judge Klatt sat in place of Justice William M. O’Neill,who recused himself from Nathaniel Jackson v. State of Ohio,(Case No. 2012-1644). In the case, Jackson argued that he should receive a new sentencing hearing. This was the second time Jackson’s death penalty case has come before the Supreme Court.

Sixth District Judge Jensen replaced Justice Judith L. French, who recused herself from Jessica Jacobson v. Ellen Kaforey et al.,(Case No. 2015-1340). The case involved Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation, and a court appointed guardian, who Jacobson said denied her from seeing her mother while she, a minor at the time, was at the hospitals. The justices will determine whether a person can cite a crime as the basis for suing for civil damages based on a current Ohio statute.

According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a justice, the chief justice can select any of the 69 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.

Judge Klatt last served as a visiting judge on the Supreme Court in January 2013.

“I am honored that the chief justice appointed me as a visiting judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio for purposes of this case, and I look forward to participating in the resolution of the case,” Judge Klatt said.

Judge Klatt was appointed to the Tenth District in 2002. Prior to his appointment, he served as chief legal counsel to then-Gov. Bob Taft, was an assistant attorney general for Betty D. Montgomery, and worked in private practice.  He received his degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

The Tenth District Court of Appeals serves Franklin County in central Ohio, and hears cases from county, municipal and common pleas courts as well as original actions in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, procedendo and quo warranto. The court also hears appeals from the Ohio Court of Claims.

This was Judge Jensen’s first time sitting by assignment for the Ohio Supreme Court.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to serve on the state’s highest court and participate in a case that affects all Ohioans,” Judge Jensen said.

Judge Jensen was elected to the Sixth District in 2012. Prior to sitting on the appellate bench, Judge Jensen served as a judge on the Lucas County Common Pleas Court. He has also served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio and was in private practice. Judge Jensen received his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

The Sixth District Court of Appeals serves eight counties in northwest Ohio and hears cases from county, municipal and common pleas courts as well as original actions in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, procedendo and quo warranto.