The Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Commission announced the panel of three nominees to be submitted to Governor Michael L. Parson to fill the circuit judge vacancy created by the impending retirement of Judge Steven Ohmer. Those nominated by the commission are:
Nicole Colbert-Botchway – Colbert-Botchway graduated in 1993 from Saint Louis University and earned her law degree in 1996 from Saint Louis University School of Law. She is currently an associate circuit judge in St. Louis (in the 22nd circuit).
David Roither – Roither graduated in 1996 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and earned his law degree in 1999 from Saint Louis University School of Law. He is currently an associate circuit judge in St. Louis (in the 22nd circuit).
Matthew Vianello – Vianello graduated in 2007 from the University of Kansas and earned his law degree in 2010 from Saint Louis University School of Law. He is a shareholder in the Jacobson Press PC law firm.
The commission received 15 applications and interviewed all applicants during one day of public interviews on March 28, 2024. The commission believes these candidates, chosen from a field of extremely qualified individuals, possess those qualities essential to the fair and efficient administration of justice. The commission is confident each of these individuals is capable of serving well and honorably if selected by the governor. Pursuant to Supreme Court of Missouri Rule 10.29, the commission reports the final votes received by each nominee were: Colbert Botchway received five votes, Roither received four votes, and Vianello received four votes.
The members of the Twenty-Second Circuit Judicial Commission are: Thomas C. Clark II, chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, and chairperson of the commission; Matthew Devoti; Eva Frazer, M.D.; Chris Goodson; and Erica Slater.
Original source can be found here.