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NATCHEZ — In a three to two vote, the Adams County Board of Supervisors appointed Shameca Collins as Justice Court Judge for the Northern District of Adams County.

Collins replaces Audrey Minor, who resigned in September.

Toward the end of the supervisors’ meeting on Monday morning, District 4 Supervisor Ricky Gray nominated Collins for the position. District 5 Supervisor Warren Gaines seconded the motion.

The appointment passed three to two with District 3 Supervisor Angela Hutchins joining Gray and Gaines in voting to approve Collins.

District 1 Supervisor Wes Middleton and District 2 Supervisor and Board President Kevin Wilson voted against Collins’ appointment.

“I thought we were going to interview candidates for judge,” Wes Middleton asked.

“I have a real problem with this,” Wilson said. “She failed miserably as district attorney. Why would anyone think she would do a better job as a judge?”

“If I didn’t think she would do a good job, I would not have nominated her,” Gray said. “Her job as DA has nothing to do with her job as a judge. Until citizens can vote, I think she is the best candidate for the job.”

Supervisors split their votes along racial lines. Gray, Gaines, and Hutchins are Black, while Wilson and Middleton are White.

Gray made the appointment of a new judge a racial issue at the board’s Sept. 16 meeting.

On Sept. 16, Gray said the Northern District Judge is elected by voters in the county’s districts 3, 4 and 5 only.

“You know I’m going to be honest with this board. It shouldn’t be a Black and White thing, but at the end of the day, you know good and well that we cannot appoint a White judge. And if we do, we are going to get it,” Gray said.

“I think that’s in very poor taste that you said that,” Wilson responded. “You say you like to be honest, but I don’t think in this day and time anybody should say that.”

The permanent justice court judge will be elected in a special election. The next available date for a special election is in November 2025, said county attorney Scott Slover.

Collins could not be reached for comment on Monday.