Three nominees have been submitted to interview for a district magistrate vacancy in Riley County.
The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission announced Tuesday that it will convene at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Riley County Courthouse.
The nominees, all from Manhattan, include recently retired RCPD Captain Josh Kyle, as well as hospital administrator at Fort Riley Jeremy Larchick and contract attorney Christine Smith, of Young Williams Child Support Services. The interview schedule hasn’t been announced, but those interviews are open to the public.
Kyle retired from RCPD in December, following three decades of service to the department. He was also a finalist for the director position last fall.
The vacancy was created by the Nov. 28 retirement of James Kepple, who is now serving as a municipal judge in the City of Manhattan. The 21st Judicial District consists of Riley and Clay counties.
To be considered for district magistrate judge, a nominee must be:
- a resident of Riley County at the time of taking office and while holding office;
- a graduate of a high school, a secondary school, or the equivalent; and
- either a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or able to pass an examination to become certified within 18 months.
After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term.
The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Justice Caleb Stegall as the nonvoting chair; Kyle Bauer and Steven McMahan, of Clay Center; William Bahr, Johanna Lyle, Jeremiah Platt, Derrick Roberson and Kitra Schartz, of Manhattan; and Steven Hargrave, of Randolph.
