St. Louis Judge Wins|Round With Court Clerk

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CN) - A Cole County judge ruled that the presiding judge of St. Louis Circuit Court can hire and fire deputy clerks that work in the courthouse. The decision is a blow to Circuit Court Clerk Mariano Favazza, who claims that hiring and firing is his bailiwick.

Senior Judge John E. Parrish ruled that the Circuit Court Budget Committee's decision to grant Presiding Judge David Dowd the appointing authority to hire and fire was consistent with a Missouri Supreme Court order.

Favazza filed suit in late December. He said he plans to appeal, claiming that Parrish's ruling failed to mention state statutes that assign control of deputy clerks to the circuit clerk.

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