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MO Supreme Court selection gets scrutiny

By Maria Hickey, KWMU

St. Louis, MO. – Three nominees for the Missouri Supreme Court are getting very different reactions from groups with opposing views on how judges are chosen.

A seven-member commission made up of citizens, lawyers, and the State's Supreme Court justice chose the nominees: Judges Nannette Baker, Patricia Breckenridge, and Ronald Holliger.

The Adam Smith Foundation said in a statement that the process threw out too many conservative judges. The group wants to do away with the selection commission.

But Missourians for Fair and Impartial Courts says the current system works well.

Former Missouri Supreme Court Justice Chip Robertson, an Ashcroft appointee, is a member.

"I think this commission has provided experienced judges that the governor will be able to appoint a person that he believes will serve the people and the law well in Missouri," Robertson said.

Governor Matt Blunt has 60 days to pick one of the three nominees.

Attempts to reach the Adam Smith Foundation this afternoon were unsuccessful.

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