Tupelo judge to be first woman to lead state Court of Appeals

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tupelo judge will soon lead the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

Judge Donna Barnes will become Chief Judge on February 1.

The investiture ceremony will be held in Jackson.

She was appointed to the Court of Appeals by former Governor Haley Barbour.

Barnes will be the first woman to lead the state Court of Appeals.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme selects the Court of Appeals Chief Judge.

Michael Randolph will appoint Barnes to the post on his first day as Chief Justice.