Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton gives introductions during the Bartholomew County Veterans Treatment Court graduation ceremony in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton gives introductions during the Bartholomew County Veterans Treatment Court graduation ceremony in Bartholomew Superior Court 1 at the Bartholomew County Courthouse in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James D. Worton is not on the finalist list from the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission for the upcoming vacancy on the Indiana Court of Appeals.
The commission on Monday selected Morgan Superior Court Judge Peter R. Foley, Owen Circuit Judge Kelsey B. Hanlon and Bargersville defense attorney Stacy R. Uliana as the three nominees for the First District vacancy, which hears cases from southern Indiana.
The vacancy is being created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Edward W. Najam Jr.
The commission interviewed nine applicants on Monday, including Worton.
After deliberating in a closed session, the commission voted to send the three nominees to Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush will submit a report to Holcomb in the coming days. After receiving the list of nominees, Holcomb has 60 days to make his selection.
It was the second time that Worton was considered for an Indiana Court of Appeals vacancy.
Worton was one of 13 judges and lawyers considered to replace Judge John G. Baker of Bloomington in 2020. On Sept. 14, 2020, Holcomb announced he had chosen Lawrenceburg attorney Leanna Weissmann as Baker’s successor.
One of the most prominent Bartholomew County residents to serve on the Indiana Court of Appeals was Judge John T. Sharpnack. He was appointed by former Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh in 1991 and remained on the bench until his 2008 retirement.
