Hangin' judges

Presiding 28th Circuit Court Judge James R. Bickel unveils the newly-hung portrait of past Circuit Judge C. David Darnold during a dedication ceremony Friday, Dec. 21. His image joins that of many others who have served before him, the judges whose portraits hang on the wall's of the circuit courtroom. Darnold held the position of presiding judge over the 28th Circuit from 1979 to 2000. He later became Vernon County's presiding commissioner from 2004 to 2006. During the ceremony many past co-workers shared stories about Judge Darnold and the ways he affected their lives, including Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Ewing III, Bickel and Associate Judge Neal Quitno. Darnold then spoke to those attending and explained his feelings about law and his work. "I always loved the law, court, prosecution, police, all of it." He said, "It's always changing. It keeps you on your toes."