Sunday, May 22, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | English in second round of judge selection processBy LEE WILLIAMS Griffin Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Paschal English Jr. is among 17 candidates chosen to compete for the seat of Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Norman Fletcher who retires on June 30, and this time he hopes he doesnt draw the purple rock. English, a 61-year-old Birmingham, Ala., finished in fourth place when he competed for the $1 million prize in the Survivor: Marquesas television show in May 2003. English, who was affectionately called Pappy never received one elimination vote from his peers. However, English was eliminated from the game after he drew a purple rock. Although English walked away with a red Saturn jeep, he would have loved to win the top prize. This time though, he hopes the odds will fall in his favor. English was nominated to fill the coveted post by longtime associate and fellow Thomaston resident Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Johnnie Caldwell Jr. English most recently presided over the case of Holly Harvey, who pleaded guilty to murdering her grandparents. Caldwell presided over the case of Harveys accomplice, Sandy Ketchum. A total of 25 people have been nominated to fill Fletchers seat. Five people including Judge Michael Malihi of Atlanta and L. Chandler Vreeland of Marietta, Stephen Farrow of Dalton, Judge Gary McCorvey of Tifton, Robert Maxwell of Atlanta withdrew their names from consideration. The deadline for nominations closed on May 18, and at the end of the day 17 people were chosen. Others selected: Judge Cynthia J. Becker, Decatur. Judge G. Alan Blackburn, Atlanta. Judge Stephen E. Boswell, Jonesboro. Judge Neal W. Dickert, Evans. Joseph J. Drolet, Atlanta. C. Wilson DuBose, Madison. James B. (Jimmy) Franklin, Statesboro. Judge Denise Majette, Atlanta. Harold D. Melton, Atlanta. Judge Charles B. Mikell, Atlanta. Judge Sidney L. Nation, Conyers. H. Andrew Owen, Atlanta. Judge William M. (Billy) Ray, Lawrenceville. Ralph F. (Rusty) Simpson, Tifton. Judge J.D. Smith, Gainesville. Judge Amanda F. Williams, Brunswick. Interviews will be Monday and Tuesday of next week, said Barbara Watson, executive assistant to Mike Bowers, former state attorney general and chairman of the Judicial Nominating Committee. Gov. Sonny Perdue will make the final decision on who will fill the post. ? |
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