News - Local

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

New judge appointed in Diamondhead case

Bridges to decide on incorporation

A new judge has been appointed to hear Diamondhead’s incorporation case, after the former judge handling the matter died last month.

Chuck Ingraham, prospective Diamondhead interim mayor, said special Judge Billy G. Bridges, of Brandon, will now preside over the case. If the incorporation is approved, Ingraham would become interim mayor until an election could be held.

Bridges replaces the late Senior Chancery Judge Kennie E. Middleton, from the judicial district that serves Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson and Wilkinson counties. Middleton suffered a heart attack and died in Natchez at age 59.

Diamondhead residents began pursuing incorporation in 2006, and a petition was filed in 2008 with the Hancock County chancery clerk. All chancery judges in the local district recused themselves and, eventually, Middleton was appointed to hear the case. Middleton heard the arguments in January and then announced he would make a ruling in 10 days, but he had not yet done so when he died.

“We’re very pleased that a judge is appointed right now and that things will get moving,” Ingraham said.

Ridgeland-based attorney Jerry Mills, who is representing those seeking incorporation, said he hopes the judge will review the testimony and court record that had already been presented before Middleton. Mills said there is a hearing with Bridges at the Hancock County Courthouse on Dec. 3.

“In this case, everyone has had the opportunity to present any relevant evidence that they wanted to,” Mills said.