Chief Justice Maureen O Connor wrote that in his affidavit filed in November, Reinhart said that Fleegle was violating the statewide facial covering mandate and failed to implement other precautions such as the use of remote technology to conduct hearings. By doing so, Reinhart said Fleegle was ignoring the recommendations of the chief justice. Given the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Ohio and Muskingum County, Mr. Reinhart believes that contagious individuals will attend the December trials and that the risk of infection is unreasonable, O Connor wrote.
O Connor also explained Reinhart s concerns that his clients are worried he will be distracted in trial over his own health due to his age, 69, and higher risk for serious complications.