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Draper named as new Mo. Supreme Court judge

George W. Draper III
(Mo. Supreme Court)
George W. Draper III

After three finalists were announced in September, Missouri now has a new Supreme Court judge. George W. Draper III, currently a judge in theEastern District Court of Appeals, has been selected by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon(D) for the job, in an announcement released today.

“In his 17 years on the bench and in his 10 years of service as a circuit attorney in St. Louis, Judge Draper has demonstrated a dedication to justice and to serving the people of this state,”Nixon said in a press release. “Those decades of experience and his legal acumen will enable him to be an outstanding judge on the Missouri Supreme Court. I am very pleased to be able to name this eminently qualified jurist to the state’s highest court.”

Draper will also be the first African-American to sit on the state’s highest court sinceformer Judge Ronnie Whiteretired in 2007.  In a statement, theMissouri Legislative Black Caucussays it’s extremely pleased with Draper’s appointment, and that his experience made him the best candidate for the job.  Draper will be the second African-American overall to sit on on theMissouri Supreme Court.

Draper is a graduate ofHoward University School of Lawin Washington, D.C. and completed his undergraduate studies atMorehouse Collegein Atlanta.

Draper has also taught trial advocacy classes at the Saint Louis University School of Lawsince 1996 while serving on the bench.

Marshal was a political reporter for St. Louis Public Radio until 2018.