LaBuda among finalists

by Jonathan Van Dyke

The Wyoming Judicial Nominating Committee has narrowed the field to three for Sublette County’s District Court Judge opening, giving the names of the nominees to Gov. Dave Freudenthal on Monday.

“The commission was very happy with the candidate pool and I think you have three great possibilities,” said Chief Justice BartonVoigt, chairman of the nominating committee.

The three nominees are John LaBuda, John Robinson and Marvin Tyler.

LaBuda works for a private practice in Pinedale and also is a public defender. Robinson works out of a private practice in Casper. Tyler works out of a private practice in Rock Springs, as a court magistrate for the circuit courts in Sweetwater County and as a district court commissioner.

Freudenthal now has 30 days to make his decision. Voigt said that the governor generally interviews all three nominees before making a decision.

“I don’t have any prediction as to when he might make the decision,” said Cara Eastwood, press secretary for the governor.

The Judicial Nominating Committee visited Pinedale to conduct interviews before submitting its three choices on Monday. The committee is made up of three lawyers and three citizens. Two special — non-voting — members were appointed from Sublette County to help with the nominating process, local attorney Ralph Wood and citizen Norm Pape.

“We look for someone we’re confident can handle the whole gamut,” Voigt said.

An ideal district court judge should have significant domestic relations (child custody, divorce etc.), criminal, juvenile, taxation, homicide, multi-party negligence and malpractice experience, Voigt said.

The hope is to have a judge installed promptly, but it will more than likely take a month.

“They say, usually, [the governor] takes his 30 days,” said Marilyn Jensen, clerk of the district court.

Once mid-September comes, however, officials expect to install the new judge quickly.

“There’s a need [in Sublette County] and we try to get them sworn in as quickly as possible,” Voigt said.