By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Another appeals court judge is leaving the bench. Eastern District Appeals Court Judge Gary Gaertner will retire Friday. He's turning 70 on Saturday, and that's the mandatory retirement age for judges under the state constitution.
The St. Louis native was appointed to the appeals court in 1985 by former Republican Governor John Ashcroft. He first became a circuit judge in 1969 and was retained in that post by voters in 1970, 1976, and 1982.
Several appeals court judges recently have announced they are leaving the bench, including one from the Southern District and two from the Western District. The three nominees for a Supreme Court vacancy also are all current appellate judges.
Gaertner has also served as St. Louis City counselor.