Judge Mark Davis, a Federal judge in Norfolk, recused himself after learning the yacht the men are accused of hijacking was being stored at a Portsmouth marina his brother partially owned.
The 13 Somalis and one Yemeni were brought to Norfolk in March.
Eleven of the men have pleaded guilty.
The case will be transferred to another judge who will preside over the possible death penalty trial of the three other defendants.
The men are accused of hijacking an American yacht called "the quest" and killing the four people on board back in February.
Three Norfolk-based ships helped capture the pirates.
The boat was put in the Portsmouth area by the family estate of the former owners.
The judge's brother is vice president at the marina.
No details have been released about when a new judge will be selected.
Source: WTKR-TV
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