Three nominees are moving forward for the 12th Judicial District Circuit Court vacancy after a public hearing and interviews in Winchester.
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts announced Thursday, Oct. 22, that the Trial Court Vacancy Commission selected Claudia Coco Angel, Marshall “Mark” Raines Jr. and Jared Smith. Their names have been sent to Gov. Bill Lee for consideration.
The announcement narrows a six-person applicant field to three nominees. It does not announce an appointment or identify who will fill the judgeship.
Angel is an assistant district attorney in the 11th Judicial District, according to the applicant information released by the court system Oct. 8.
Raines is the Marion County General Sessions judge. His application information also lists his work as attorney for the Marion County Board of Education and the city of Jasper. The court system reported that he has served as General Sessions judge for 20 years.
Smith is an assistant district attorney general in the 12th Judicial District.
The commission’s hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Franklin County Judicial Center, 440 George Fraley Parkway. Thursday’s announcement confirms that the commission met in Winchester and made its selections after public interviews and a public hearing.
The other applicants were M. Keith Davis, Thomas Richard Edward McEntyre and Kandi Michelle Nunley. The announcement does not give vote totals or explain the commission’s selections.
The 11-member commission recommends candidates to the Governor’s Office for state trial-court vacancies. Thursday’s release does not provide a date for the governor’s decision.
