Gov. Jay Nixon last week appointed a former prosecutor to become associate circuit judge in Phelps County.
Kenneth G. Clayton of Rolla was named to the post.
The position became available upon the election Bill Hickle as circuit judge for the 25th Circuit.
Clayton served two full terms as the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney from 1999 to 2006. He is a partner in the Rolla law firm of Clayton and Anderson and also has served as the acting prosecuting attorney for Pulaski County since May. Before becoming prosecuting Attorney, he was an assistant public defender. Clayton is a graduate of the University of Tulsa School of Law and of Northeast Missouri (now Truman) State University in Kirksville.
“Ken Clayton has a great deal of experience in criminal and civil law, as both prosecutor and in private practice,” Nixon said. “I am pleased to appoint him to serve the people of Phelps County as their new associate circuit judge.”