Judge Mary Ann Gunn
LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe today appointed a replacement for a Fayetteville judge who announced her resignation after a judicial panel frowned on broadcast of her drug court proceedings.
In one of four judicial appointments, Beebe named G. Chadd Mason of Fayetteville to the Fourth Division Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial District, replacing Judge Mary Ann Gunn, whose resignation is effective Saturday.
Mason’s appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012. A new judge will be elected next year to fill out the remainder of Gunn’s term which runs through 2014.
Gunn was first elected to the bench in 1998 and began running the drug court for Washington and Madison counties in 1999. Drug court proceedings began airing on local access television in 2004.
Last year, Gunn sought an opinion from the Arkansas Supreme Court Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee about broadcasting the local airing to a national audience.
The program was shut down last fall after the panel issued an opinion critical of the broadcasts. It said they could bring undue notoriety to defendants and advance the judge’s interests, though she received no direct pay for the program.
The Supreme Court formed a committee that held hearings on the matter but has yet to issue a ruling.
Gunn announced her resignation May 13, saying she could best further the case of drug court “without the constraints of judicial office.”
Produced by Trifecta Entertainment & Media, her syndicated television show “Last Shot with Judge Gunn” is set to premier this fall.
Also named by the governor to judicial positions were:
—Beth Branscum Burgess of Perryville to the 11th Division Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial District. She replaces Judge Melinda Gilbert. The appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—Jon Comstock of Rogers to the Second Division Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial District West. He replaces Judge David Clinger, whose retirement is effective June 30. The appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
—Mark Fryauf of Rogers, to the Third Division Circuit Court of the 19th Judicial District West. He replaces Judge Jay Finch, whose retirement is effective July 8. The appointment expires Dec. 31, 2012.
