CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Longtime Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jim Stucky has submitted his resignation and is seeking disability retirement.
Stucky, who has been on the bench since 1997, hasn’t been able to hear cases since early March because of ill health. He submitted his letter to Gov. Jim Justice Tuesday afternoon.
MORE Read Stucky resignation letter
Stucky began serving in the Kanawha County Prosecutor’s Office in the last 1970’s, he then became Kanawha County prosecutor for a few years in the mid-80’s.
Former Gov. Cecil Underwood appointed him to the bench more than 20 years ago. He’s been elected to full terms in each election since the appointment. There are six years left on his current term.
The resignation is effective April 30. Justice will appoint his replacement until the November General Election when someone will be elected to fill the remaining four years of the term.
Senior Status Judge Tom Evans has been hearing Stucky’s cases for the last several weeks following an appointment from state Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Workman. Evans asked that the appointment end this Friday, April 20. Workman granted the request and Wednesday appointed Senior Status Judge David Pancake to begin hearing Stucky’s cases next Monday, April 23.
MORE Read Chief Justice Workman’s administrative order here