She’s suing him and running against him for judge. The trial just got delayed
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lawyer Jennifer Sekul Harris sued Chancery Judge Neil Harris, claiming emotional distress.
- Special Judge Forrest A. Johnson continued the trial until after Nov. 3 judicial election.
- The Harrises, who are not related, are both in the race for chancery judge.
A special Circuit Court judge has delayed the trial of Chancery Judge Neil Harris because his accuser is also an opponent in November judicial races.
In the civil case, Jennifer Sekul Harris accuses Judge Neil Harris of negligent infliction of emotional distress and defamation. She claims in the lawsuit that the judge propositioned and sexually harassed her. When she turned down his advances, she claims, he told a third party that she had forged a document in an adoption case, which she said was not true.
Jennifer Harris, who is not related to the judge, filed her lawsuit in March 2024. Local Circuit Court judges recused themselves from the case, leading to the appointment of Special Judge Forrest A. Johnson.
Johnson entered an order before the trial’s scheduled Tuesday start date, saying it will be continued until after the November 3 general election. The order did not set a new trial date.
“The court, being advised that the parties are opposing candidates for chancery judge in a district including the whole of Jackson County, finds that jury selection would be extremely difficult given the number of jurors summoned and pending election.”
Judicial races are nonpartisan. Family law attorney Matthew Paul Pavlov also is running against Neil Harris for the District 16, Place 1 Chancery Court seat. Harris has served as a chancery judge since 2007.
Harris has denied any wrongdoing, saying in a written response to Jennifer Harris’ lawsuit that he neither sexually harassed nor defamed her.
