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Saturday, September 30, 2006
Ind. Courts - More on: Gov. Daniels appoints St. Joseph Superior Court Judge
Updating yesterday's press release from the Governor's office, the South Bend Tribune reports today, in a story by Patrick M. O'Connell:
The appointment of [Jane Woodward ] Miller, 56, an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, former magistrate in St. Joseph Probate Court and former deputy county prosecutor, doubles the number of women serving on the bench in St. Joseph County.Miller, a mother of two and wife of U.S. District Chief Judge Robert Miller Jr., is the third woman ever to join the St. Joseph County bench as a judge. She joins Judge Jenny Pitts Manier, who serves at the Mishawaka courthouse.
Pitts Manier was appointed in 1998 to replace Jeanne M. Jordan, the first woman to serve as a judge in the county.
Miller will handle felony criminal cases as St. Joseph Superior Court judge, replacing Judge William Albright, 65, who is retiring.
Miller's first court hearings begin Oct. 10.
Daniels said people who normally do not agree on other issues told him Miller was the best person for the position.
The governor said he considered appointing a woman to the bench to be a plus, but that Miller's qualifications and reputation were what made her a lock for the judgeship. * * *
Daniels said the appointment was made without regard to party affiliation or political persuasion. * * *
Tears welled in Miller's eyes as she talked with reporters about the support the community has given her and her family over the years, especially during her battle with cancer several years ago.
"I can't describe how much this means to me," Miller said.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 30, 2006 08:55 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts