A local judge is not among the semifinalists for an opening on the 15-member Indiana Court of Appeals.
Judge James Worton was among six candidates who did not advance to become a semifinalist. Another judge from this region also is no longer being considered, Johnson County Superior Court 1 Judge Kevin Barton.
Seven semifinalists for the vacancy have been selected following interviews conducted by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission. Those still in contention are Jason W. Bennett, Peter R. Foley, Matthew L. Headley, Abraham A. Navarro, Lakshmi Y. Reddy, Lisa G. Reger and Leanna K. Weissmann.
The vacancy is the result of the retirement of Court of Appeals Judge John G. Baker this summer.
“They are obviously looking for someone with a different background than what I have,” Worton said of the release of the semifinalist list. “But I’m very happy and content right here, so I’m not disappointed.”
Worton was questioned for 20 minutes by the seven-member commission chaired by Indiana Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all interviews were conducted through video-conferencing.
Since the job of an appellate judge is mostly research-based, Worton said he had prepared himself to address such topics as legal analysis. However, the question and answer session turned out to be more of a personal interview, he said.
“They were really curious about my opinions on police matters and things like that,” said Worton, a career law enforcement officer and former Columbus Police Chief before being elected judge in 2012.
During the interview, commission members seemed interested on the judge’s thoughts regarding recent protests alleging police brutality, as well as how his law enforcement career might influence his judicial performance, Worton said.
Worton is now in his second six-year term as Superior Court 1 judge.
After a second round of questioning is held with the semifinalists in early July, the commission will submit the names of three finalists to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
It will be the governor’s decision who will succeed Baker of Bloomington, who is retiring after 31 years on the appellate bench.
