Georgia's governor has appointed a state appeals court judge to fill a vacancy on the state's highest court.
In a news release Friday, Gov. Nathan Deal announced the appointment of state Court of Appeals Judge Charlie Bethel to the Georgia Supreme Court. Bethel is to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice P. Harris Hines.
Bethel previously represented a northwest Georgia district in the state Senate and served as an alderman for the city of Dalton. He holds a bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Georgia.
Deal also announced the appointment of state House majority whip Rep. Christian Coomer, an attorney and Air Force veteran, to fill the vacancy left by Bethel on the Court of Appeals.
Both appointments will take effect upon swearing in.
