Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Franklin County Circuit Judge Alexander reappointed
The General Assembly on Wednesday reappointed Franklin County Circuit Judge William Alexander to another eight-year term after weeks of controversy and questions about the judge’s handling of a special grand jury probe of the county’s sheriff.
The House delayed Alexander's reappointment vote in January due to concerns about his handling of a special grand jury investigation of Sheriff Ewell Hunt. The grand jury in December returned an indictment against Hunt on a misdemeanor charge of failing to maintain proper records.
In a three-hour hearing in February, lawmakers questioned the judge's selection of jurors and his decision to unseal a grand jury report that was critical of Hunt's office. But there was no opposition to Alexander when the two chambers voted on his reappointment Wednesday.
The legislature also reappointed General District Court Judge Randal Duncan of Radford to a six-year term. Duncan sits in the judicial district that covers the New River Valley.
Former Attorney General Bill Mims was appointed to a vacancy on Supreme Court of Virginia. Mims will succeed Justice Barbara Milano Keenan, who was confirmed last week to a seat on the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
The House delayed Alexander's reappointment vote in January due to concerns about his handling of a special grand jury investigation of Sheriff Ewell Hunt. The grand jury in December returned an indictment against Hunt on a misdemeanor charge of failing to maintain proper records.
In a three-hour hearing in February, lawmakers questioned the judge's selection of jurors and his decision to unseal a grand jury report that was critical of Hunt's office. But there was no opposition to Alexander when the two chambers voted on his reappointment Wednesday.
The legislature also reappointed General District Court Judge Randal Duncan of Radford to a six-year term. Duncan sits in the judicial district that covers the New River Valley.
Former Attorney General Bill Mims was appointed to a vacancy on Supreme Court of Virginia. Mims will succeed Justice Barbara Milano Keenan, who was confirmed last week to a seat on the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
