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NATCHEZ — The Adams County Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of Justice Court Judge Northern District Audrey Minor on Monday morning, but didn’t choose a replacement.

Rather, supervisors said they would discuss potential replacements during the board’s next meeting on Oct. 7.

However, District 4 Supervisor Ricky Gray made it clear that he thinks the supervisors should only appoint someone who is Black.

District 2 Supervisor and Board President Kevin Wilson named several people who have expressed an interest in the judgeship to him, including former Justice Court Judge Eileen Mahar and Justice Court Clerk Verna Johnson.

“I am sure you all have gotten calls from people, too,” Wilson said.

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.”

Mississippi law requires that the county’s board of supervisors appoint a replacement for Minor, who will serve until a special election can be held and for voters to choose a permanent justice court judge.

County Attorney Scott Slover said the special election cannot be held earlier than 90 days after the vacancy, which means the upcoming November election does not qualify. He said the next available date for a special election is the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2025.

“I’m saying we need somebody with experience,” Wilson said. “Anyone can run for the judgeship later on when we have an election. If we are going to get a fair judge, we need to have a judge who has experience is what I’m saying.”

Wilson and District 3 Supervisor Angela Hutchins asked Slover if the supervisors’ discussion about a replacement for Minor could be held in closed session.

“We have to vet these people in some way,” Wilson said.

“I know they are not county employees, but like he said, there are some good things and some bad things about some of them. Can that not be done in executive session,” Hutchins asked.

“I’m sure you can,” discuss the candidates in executive session, Slover replied.

“I think it needs to be done in an open session,” Gray said. “No disrespect to you two supervisors (Wilson and District 1 Supervisor Wes Middleton), this only affects us. The voting precincts come out of districts 3, 4 and 5. That’s just the way it is.”

Wilson pointed out the Northern District Justice Court Judge, though elected by voters in Districts 3, 4 and 5, does not have to live in that district. 

“According to the Mississippi Supreme Court, the nominee does not have to come out of the Northern District because they hear cases out of both districts,” Wilson said.

Justice Court judges do not have to have a law degree, Slover said. The law requires that they must have a GED or have a high school diploma and live in Adams County. He said they would be required to take classes within a year of their appointment.

“I try to keep it as real as I can keep it. This is the kind of world we are living in. Just say something happened to me and this board had to replace me. You’ve got to live in your district, but what I’m saying is, if you are thinking correctly, you wouldn’t recommend a White person to replace me in District 4, would you,” Gray asked.

Supervisors did not respond to Gray’s hypothetical question, but agreed to ask Justice Court Judge Southern District Danny Barber to fill in as best he can and said they would discuss appointing a judge at their next meeting on Oct. 7.

Also, supervisors heard the resignation letter of District 2 Election Commissioner Larry Gardner, who has served since the 1990s. Gardner’s resignation is effective Sept. 30.

Because an election commission is elected per district, District 2 Supervisor Wilson will be responsible for appointing someone to fill in for Gardner also until the November 2025 special election.