Seven people apply to replace former Mingo County Judge Michael Thornsbury

The governor’s office has received applications from seven people to serve out the remainder of Michael Thornsbury’s term as Mingo County Circuit Court Judge.

Those people were Letitia Neese Chafin, Robert H. Carlton, Jonathan Wayne Jewell, Steven Johnston Knopp, Teresa McCune, Glen R. Rutledge II and Mingo Family Court Judge Miki Thompson.

The application deadline was Tuesday.

Thornsbury pleaded guilty in federal court last month to conspiring with other Mingo County officials in a scheme to thwart a federal drug investigation into late Mingo County Sheriff Eugene Crum.

Thornsbury had served as the sole circuit judge in the 30th Judicial Circuit since 1997. He was re-elected to an eight-year term in 2008.

The state Supreme Court elected John Cummings, a senior status judge from Cabell County, to serve as a temporary replacement for Thornsbury. Retired justice Thomas McHugh is assisting Cummings.

Interviews are set to begin Dec. 16 in Charleston. They will be conducted by members of the state Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission. The commission will then recommend three names to Tomblin, who makes the appointment.