WILLIAMSON, W. Va. — A ceremonial swearing in was held Thursday in the main courtroom of the Mingo County Courthouse in Williamson so the new Thirtieth Judicial Circuit Court Judge could get to work.
Judge Miki Thompson will take over the position after Judge Michael Thornsbury resigned and pleaded guilty to federal charges related to abusing the powers granted to his position.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin appointed Judge Thompson to the bench after she won the primary for the seat in May. She had been serving as the Family Court Judge in the Eighth Family Court Circuit in Mingo County since 2009. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, she began her career as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Mingo County in 1992. She also was the solo practitioner of Thompson Law Office until 2008. She was awarded the Williamson Daily News “Best of the Best” Attorney award 2005-2008.
Senior Status Judge John Cummings had been handling the circuit court docket with Senior Status Justice Thomas McHugh since August 16, 2013, when Thornsbury was indicted. Judge Cummings and Justice McHugh continued their work after Thornsbury resigned.