Judge Leslie King appointed to Mississippi Supreme Court

Gov. Barbour appointed Leslie King, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, to the seat vacated by Justice James Graves' ascent to the 5th Circuit bench. That leaves a hole on the Court of Appeals, and of course gives Barbour another appointment. There has been rampant speculation since Graves was nominated for the 5th Circuit, and one of the scenarios included Barbour moving King up to the Supreme Court, then moving a sitting circuit or chancery judge to the Court of Appeals, and finally, appointing someone to the vacant chancery or circuit seat.

Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Denise Owens and Jackson lawyer La'Verne Edney are two names that have been floated as being on Barbour's radar, although Barbour's Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee will make the recommendation. That Committee is headed by Jackson lawyer Ed Brunini. Should be interesting to see this play out.