CHARLESTON – Second Circuit Judge Mark A. Karl is retiring at the end of the month, and the state Supreme Court has assigned two senior status judges to fill in until a successor is appointed.
Senior Status Judge Robert B. Stone will preside in the circuit – which covers Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties – through April. On May 1, Senior Status Judge Arthur Recht will preside.
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Committee soon will be accepting applications for the open seat. The appointed judge will fill the seat until the 2016 election.
The JVAC, which consists of four public members and four attorneys, will accept applications for the position and meet to discuss potential replacements. Interviews will be conducted, with the committee recommending between two and five candidates to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin within 90 days. Tomblin then has 30 days to appoint an interim judge.
Applications for the Karl position must be submitted to the JVAC timeframe by May 5. Letters of recommendation and comment must be submitted by May 12. Interviews will be May 18.
Chief Judge David W. Hummel is the other judge in the Second Circuit.
Karl resigning as circuit judge
