Gov. Sonny Perdue has appointed a former federal prosecutor to the panel that vets judicial nominees after another member recused himself because he is a candidate for Georgia's top court. Perdue appointed Spence Pryor to the Judicial Nominating Commission. He replaces James P. Kelly III, who recused himself from the proceedings because he is a candidate for the Georgia Supreme Court appointment. Perdue will soon nominate a replacement for Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, who is stepping down at the end of the month. Presiding Justice Carol Hunstein will take her spot as the court's chief judge. Pryor is a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. He is now a partner with the Alston & Bird law firm.
(Associated Press)
(Associated Press)
