By Bill Kaczor, Associated Press Writer
A former appellate judge asked the Florida Supreme Court on Monday to order Gov. Charlie Crist to appoint his replacement from a list of six nominees even though none is black.
Retired 5th District Court of Appeal Judge Robert J. Pleus Jr. said he felt he had no alternative because Crist has refused to name a successor after a nominating commission rejected the governor’s demand for a slate including black nominees.
The appellate court in Daytona Beach has no full-time black judges. Crist has stressed diversity in recent court appointments and named Hispanic and black justices to fill the past two vacancies on the Supreme Court.
The 5th District appointment should have been made by Jan. 5, from the six names already submitted, Pleus said.
“After repeated efforts to get movement from the governor’s office, I have now determined that we must assure compliance with the constitution,” Pleus said in a statement.
