First Assistant Public Defender Ron Lewis is among 11 candidates who have filed applications to succeed former McLean County Public Defender Carla Barnes, who recently was named a circuit judge.
Three other current public defenders—Matthew Koetters, Mark Messman and Joseph Moran—also filed applications for the post.
Former public defender Jennifer Patton, now in private practice in Bloomington, joins local defense lawyers Chris Gramm and Mark Zalcman as candidates. Edward McKibbin, who serves as students’ attorney for Illinois State University, rounds out the list of local lawyers on the list.
Candidates from outside Bloomington-Normal include Pontiac attorney Larry Necheles, Chicago attorney Meanith Huon and Brady Lee Allen from Coles County.
William Scanlon, trial court administrator for the 11th Judicial Circuit, said a timetable has not been set for a review of the candidates and interviews by circuit judges. Following interviews, judges will choose the next public defender.
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