On August 17, 2024 Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Curwood Witt, Jr. passed away. On October 7, 2024 notice was given that the Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments would meet on Thursday December 5, 2024 to initiate the process of recommending three finalists to Governor Bill Lee to appoint a successor. The deadline to apply was November 28, 2022.
Three individuals applied, thus negating the work of the Committee on Judicial Appointments. On November 22, 2024 the Committee announced they would submit the three applicants directly to Governor Lee.
Also announcing that anyone wanting to submit feedback concerning any applicant may contact the Governor’s legal office at 615-734-8314. The deadline for feedback is January 3, 2025.
The applicants are Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steve W. Sword, assistant federal defender with Federal Defender Services of East Tennessee Willie Santana and Sevier County Attorney Bryce William McKenzie.
In the event that Judge Sword is appointed, the same process will take place for the Governor to appoint a new successor to Sword as Knox County Criminal Court Judge.
