Governor taps Keith Crestman to finish Fogleman’s term

Hutchinson announces slate of appointments for 2020 By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com Judge John Fogleman stepped down from his position as Circuit Judge for the Second Judicial District on Dec. 31, 2019, after a quarter of a century on the bench. Fogleman was nearing the final year of his fifth term as Circuit Judge for Division 8 of the Second District when he tendered his letter of resignation to Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson back in November.

“Serving the people of the Second Judicial District for the past 25 years has been an honor and a privilege,” said Fogleman.

“Even though I could have sought a sixth term on the court in 2020, the time was right for me to vacate the bench for other challenges.”

Division 8 of the Second District serves Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi and Poinsett counties.

Fogleman’s resignation created a vacancy on the bench, and last week Governor Hutchinson issued a slate of appointments that included filling that seat.

Keith Chrestman of Jonesboro was named as interim Circuit Judge for the Second Judicial District. His appointment began Jan. 1, 2020, and expires Dec. 31, 2020.

“Jonesboro Attorney, Keith Chrestman, has been appointed by Governor Hutchinson, to complete the last year of my term as Circuit Judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit. In 1987 I was chair of the Crittenden County Committee to celebrate the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Judge Chrestman, as a high school senior, was invited, along with a cross-section of community leaders, to share their thoughts on “What the Constitution Means to Me.” It goes without saying that this was a long long time ago.

I am confident that Judge Chrestman will fill this role very well. Good luck, Judge Chrestman.”

Chrestman was officially sworn in on Friday afternoon at the Osceola Courthouse. Judge Ralph Edwin Wilson Jr, who Chrestman called “a person for whom I have the highest respect,” administered the oath.

“Governor Hutchinson, thank you for this opportunity to serve the people of my judicial district and the legal profession,” said Chrestman. “Thank you for a courteous staff that was always ready and willing to help. Thank you to the many people who contacted the Governor’s office in support of my appointment. We all have busy lives. And the fact that you spent your time to write letters and emails and make telephone calls humbles me. I’m overwhelmed.”

Chrestman also had kind words for his predecessor.

“Judge Fogleman, thank you for your example,” he said. “As I told you, it’s powerful. You reached out to me straight away and, in every way, have been entirely helpful. I cannot replace you. I cannot fill your shoes. I can only follow you, try to live up to your example, and leave things in proper order for the one who follows me.”

Chrestman also thanked Fogleman’s clerks, Amy Peyton and Jenny Burks “for the excellent service that you’ve provided Judge Fogleman, and for your willingness to stay with me during this year-long adventure. I’m looking forward to a productive year.”

Fogleman did not announce any specific plans for his immediate future, but he did go on to say, “I hope to continue to serve the people of our great state in some capacity in the years to come.”

The judge will have at least one more high-profile case to preside over in 2020. Fogleman has been tapped by Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Dan Kemp to handle the case of Rebecca Lynn O’Donnell, who faces capital murder and other charges in relation to the murder of former state Sen. Linda Collins earlier this year.

Fogleman, who was appointed in early December, is the fourth judge assigned to the case against the Randolph County woman well ahead of a trial set for next year.

He replaces Judge David Goodson, who asked to be removed from the case recently for unknown reasons.

In addition to the capital murder charge, O’Donnell faces one count each of abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. The case is the only case Fogleman he has so far agreed to take up post-retirement. The trial is expected to last two weeks and is scheduled to begin in October.

In addition to the Chrestman appointment, a handful of other appointments with regional interests were announced including:

• Sherry Holliman, Marion, to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling. Appointment expires December 31, 2022. Reappointment.

• Bradly Moore, Marion, to the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board. Appointment expires October 14, 2022.

• David Gammill, Tyronza, to the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2021. Reappointment.

• Jon Carroll, Moro, to the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Promotion Board. Appointment expires July 1, 2021.

Reappointment.

• Kevin Miller, Jonesboro, to the Firefighter Benefit Review Panel.

Appointment expires May 6, 2023. Reappointment.

• Chief Richard Elliott, Jonesboro, to the State Crime Laboratory Board.

Appointment expires January 14, 2026. Replaces Chief Jackie Davis.

• Judge Brent Davis, Jonesboro, to the State Crime Laboratory Board.

Appointment expires January 14, 2025. Replaces Judge Kirk Johnson.

• Keith Clark, Paragould, to the Board of the Division of the State Services for the Blind. Appointment expires June 30, 2023. Reappointment.

• Pamela Meridith, Walnut Ridge, to the State Library Board. Appointment expires October 18, 2026.

Replaces Deborah Kirby.