Mingo Circuit Court Judge Post Remains Unfilled

The seat vacated by convicted former Mingo County Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury remains unfilled more than a month after a deadline under state law to find a replacement.

An advisory panel in December recommended public defenders Teresa McCune and Jonathan Jewell to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin as potential candidates to replace Thornsbury until the May 13 primary election.

Under state law, Tomblin had 30 days after receiving the candidates’ list to make an appointment. The Charleston Gazette reports Friday marked 73 days since that time.

Tomblin spokeswoman Amy Shuler Goodwin didn’t immediately return a telephone message.

Thornsbury pleaded guilty in October to a federal conspiracy charge and resigned. Two judges are temporarily filling in, and four Democrats have filed to run for the seat in the primary.