Finalists announced to replace Kootenai judge

COEUR d'ALENE — Four finalists were announced Thursday as candidates to replace Kootenai County Magistrate Judge Scott Wayman.

The finalists, selected by the First District Magistrate Commission, will be publicly interviewed for the position on May 20 at 1 p.m. in Rooms 1A and 1B of the Kootenai County Administration Building, located at 451 Government Way in Coeur d'Alene. Deliberations on who is selected for the position, according to a press release from the First Judicial District of the State of Idaho, will not be open to the public.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Barbara Duggan, Ada County Deputy Public Defender Megan Herrett, attorney Kinzo Mihara, and Kootenai County Public Defender Mayli Walsh are the four finalists. Wayman's position is available immediately, the release adds.

In March, Gov. Butch Otter announced Wayman, who had served as a magistrate judge since 2000, had been appointed to the First District judgeship left vacant by the recent retirement of Judge Fred Gibler. According to a release from the governor's office, Wayman's new position will involve him hearing cases in Shoshone and Benewah counties, as well as in other First Judicial District counties as assigned.