Dateline: March 20, 2008

Perry names Messer to be District Judge

Stuart Messer assumed the duties of the 100th Judicial District Judge Tuesday morning after being appointed to that position by Gov. Rick Perry last week.

The governor’s office had been in contact with Messer for several days after former district judge David McCoy announced his resignation last month. Messer said he received word of his appointment Friday and received the official letter Monday. He resigned his position as District Attorney effective at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

“I ask for everyone’s prayers during this process,” Messer said before Justice of the Peace Ann Kennedy administered the oath of office to Messer in the Donley County District Courtroom. The event was attended by a crowd of area officials and well wishers.

Perry has not yet appointed a new district attorney since that office only became officially vacant Tuesday. Until such appointment is made, the county attorneys in the 100th Judicial District will have felony jurisdiction.

Messer said until a new district attorney is in place, he will keep the district judge’s office in Childress. After that appointment is made, he will relocate the judge’s office to the Donley County Courthouse Annex. That decision puts a smile on local officials’ faces.

“We’re very proud to have Stuart Messer as our district judge and extremely proud to have his office in Donley County,” said County Judge Jack Hall.

Messer said he’s ready to hear cases as soon as one is filed in his court. Messer will not be able to hear any cases filed while he was district attorney. Retired judge John Forbis or another visiting judge will hear those cases.

Messer, who lives in Memphis, is a native of Donley County and served as county attorney pro tem for four years before being elected as district attorney eight years ago. He filed to run for district judge this year and faces no opposition in this November’s general election.

The previous district judge, David McCoy, resigned effective March 15 and forfeited his law license in a settlement agreement following his indictment last November on two felony charges – Theft by a Public Servant and Abuse of Official Capacity. McCoy has served as district judge since 1993.