CHARLESTON – The state Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission sent the names of four possible replacements on Raleigh Circuit Court to Gov. Jim Justice.
The JVAC’s list of finalists for the position are Marie Bechtel, Darl Poling, Thomas Truman and Chip Williams. The position is vacant after Justice appointed former Raleigh Circuit Judge John Hutchison to the state Supreme Court last month.
Interviews were conducted Jan. 23. Other applicants were James Adkins, Michael Froble, J. Victor Flanagan, Clyde Smith Jr. and Russell Wooton.
Retired judge Charles M. Vickers is filling Hutchison’s seat in Raleigh County until Justice appoints the replacement, according to a Dec. 28 order signed by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Workman.
The JVAC sends the governor a list of names it recommends for the vacancies. The governor then can choose a name from the list or choose someone else.
The person Justice appoints to the position will serve through the 2020 primary election. The candidate who wins that election will serve the remainder of the unexpired term through 2024.