Defense Attorney John Waldron, representing Jamie Silvonek, 14, accused in the March killing of her mother, Cheryl, has asked Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas Judge Maria Dantos to recuse herself from the case and step down from presiding over his client’s upcoming trial.

Silvonek, of Upper Macungie Township, is in Lehigh County Prison awaiting trial.

In the Dec. 1 petition, Waldron cited a 37-page opinion written by Dantos denying the motion to transfer the teen’s trial to juvenile court.

Waldron stated within that document, “The trial judge informed the public, before a fair and impartial trial” of her opinion regarding multiple facets of his client’s case.

“The trial judge made statements regarding its hostility and certainty of guilt toward the defendant.

“The trial judge has a fixed and substantial bias against the defendant.”

In addition, Waldron requested the court re-examine its denial of a change of venue from Lehigh County.

Waldron mentioned an article published Nov. 20 by the Morning Call, which, according to Waldron, was “an extremely prejudicial article” because of its “quoting the trial judge throughout her opinion, inciting and inflaming public opinion.”

“Defendant Jamie Lynn Silvonek cannot have a fair and impartial trial in Lehigh County,” Waldron concluded.

Comment has not yet been received from Dantos or District Attorney Jim Martin’s office.

A status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18 in the case.