Panel to select new Ind. chief justice

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana Supreme Court will soon find out who its new chief justice will be.

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission will meet Tuesday morning at the Statehouse to select a new chief justice to take the place of Randall T. Shepard, who stepped down in March.

Brent Dickson, the longest-serving justice on the court, has been serving as acting chief justice since Shepard's departure. Dickson was appointed to the court in 1986 by then-Gov. Robert Orr.

The seven-member commission will interview the current justices about what they feel are the most important qualifications for chief justice. The panel will then meet behind closed doors before a public vote.

Under state law, the commission is required to consider factors such as legal education, legal writing, reputation, physical ability and financial interests.