Gov. Parson wins battle to appoint next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, judge rules
A judge ruled in favor of Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Friday in a legal battle to name the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A judge ruled in favor of Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Friday in a legal battle to name the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney.
The ruling comes in support of Gov. Parson appointing Melissa Price Smith as Wesley Bell’s successor as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney.
Smith is now expected to be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, after Wesley Bell resigns his post and is sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The ruling comes after Parson's administration recently moved forward with a lawsuit against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page over appointing the county's next top prosecutor.
Page previously claimed that St. Louis County had planned for an appointment process similar to what St. Charles County had in 2023 when the county appointed its current prosecutor.
Parson’s original lawsuit cited a part of the Missouri Constitution, which states the “governor shall fill all vacancies, unless otherwise provided by law," in support of him taking responsibility for the appointment.
Page's pick for the soon-to-be vacant job was Cort VanOstran.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey shared the following statement on Friday's ruling: "The rule of law matters. Governor Parson has the clear authority to appoint a prosecutor that will deliver results for Missourians, which is why we filed suit. I’m glad the Court recognized that and sided with us today.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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