PORTAGE | Porter Superior Judge Julia Jent has recused herself from the strangulation case pending against former South Haven Fire Chief Doug Patton.

Jent said she could have handled the case fairly, but decided to pass it along to Porter Superior Judge Jeffrey Thode once questions were raised about Patton's professional relationship with her husband, former Portage Township Trustee Jack Jent.

Patton's attorney, Gary Germann, said Wednesday he did not request a new judge.

Jack Jent hired Patton as fire chief and replaced him temporarily in September 2006 for speaking to the media when one of his firefighters was charged with sexually abusing three underage girls.

Patton is accused of choking a fellow firefighter during the department's Christmas party Dec. 15 at the South Haven American Legion.

Patton reportedly became angered at two firefighters who left the party and returned to the station, according to police. He ordered the two to return immediately to the party or face being fired.

When the two returned to the American Legion about 20 minutes later, the verbal dispute escalated, with witnesses telling police Patton put his hands around the throat of one firefighter and began choking him.

Patton at first admitted to police he had choked the firefighter, but then recanted, saying he had only pulled on the man's sweater. Witnesses told police Patton was intoxicated at the time.

Patton is charged with strangulation, a Class D felony carrying up to a three-year prison term, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to a one-year prison term.

A trial is scheduled before Thode on Aug. 13, with preliminary hearings April 3 and July 10.

Patton, who said he resigned from the department after the altercation, had served as chief of the department for four years.