After three finalists , Missouri now has a new Supreme Court judge. , currently a judge in the, has been selected by (D) for the job, in an announcement released today.
鈥淚n 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,鈥漀ixon said in a press release. 鈥淭hose 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鈥檚 highest court.鈥�
Draper will also be the first African-American to sit on the state鈥檚 highest court sinceretired in 2007. In a statement, thesays it鈥檚 extremely pleased with Draper鈥檚 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 the.
Draper is a graduate ofin Washington, D.C. and completed his undergraduate studies atin Atlanta.
Draper has also taught trial advocacy classes at the since 1996 while serving on the bench.
