Group to cut judge list to five
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 1, 2015 1:46 PM
The nominating committee that will narrow the list of candidates to complete the unexpired term of the late Judge Tim Finan from eight to five will meet Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Finan, 62, died June 30, and under state law, it is the responsibility of the judicial district bar to nominate five candidates who are residents of the district, and authorized to practice law in the district, for consideration by the governor.
The term ends in 2016.
Wednesday was the deadline for eligible 8th Judicial District Bar members to submit their competed ballots.
The district includes Wayne and Lenoir counties.
But bar President Tonya Barber of Goldsboro said she is allowing a few extra days for "stragglers" since 5 p.m. Wednesday was the deadline to mail in ballots.
The five names could be sent by the end of next week to Gov. Pat McCrory who will make the appointment.
The candidates are William W. Bland of Goldsboro, Paul T. Cleavenger of Kinston, Kevin F. MacQueen of LaGrange, Christopher Rogerson of Kinston, Paige R. Rouse of Goldsboro, James W. "Will" Spicer III of Goldsboro, William Curtis Stackhouse of Goldsboro and Annette W. Turik of Kinston.
Eligible lawyers in the district were able to vote for their five top choices.
In the event of a tie for fifth place, the names of those candidates involved in the tie will be sent to the governor together with the names of the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
The governor can select a replacement from the five or make his own, she said.
However, the governor traditionally picks from the list, Ms. Barber said.