9 December 2005

ST. LOUIS – Michael A. Wolff, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Missouri and chair of the Appellate Judicial Commission, announced today that the commission has submitted to Governor Matt Blunt its panel of nominees to fill a vacancy on the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. The vacancy exists due to the August 29, 2005, death of Judge Lawrence G. Crahan.

The panel consists of the Honorable Roy Richter, Melinda Sanderson and Thomas Weaver.

Richter is an associate circuit Judge in Montgomery County, which is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. He was born in July 1950 in St. Louis. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1972 from Drury College in Springfield and his law degree in 1976 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Richter lives in Montgomery City.

Sanderson is the sole practitioner of the Sanderson Law Firm in St. Louis. She was born in July 1950 in Mayfield, Kentucky. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1971 and her master’s degree in 1972 from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, and her law degree in 1985 from Washington University in St. Louis. Sanderson lives in St. Louis.

Weaver is an attorney at Armstrong Teasdale LLP in St. Louis. He was born in October 1951 in St. Louis. He received his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in 1974 from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and his law degree, magna cum laude, in 1978 from Saint Louis University. Weaver lives in Glendale.

Governor Blunt has 60 days to select one member of the panel to fill the vacancy. If the governor should fail to do so, the Missouri Constitution directs the commission to make the appointment.

Note: The governor appointed Roy Richter to fill this vacancy.

Note: Links to nominees' applications typically are disabled after the governor makes his appointment.

Contact: Beth S. Riggert

Communications Counsel

Supreme Court of Missouri

(573) 751-3676