INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Judicial Selection Committee has announced 10 finalists to fill two upcoming judicial openings on the Marion Superior Court bench.
The judicial vacancies stem from the upcoming departure of two long-serving judges in the court’s Criminal Division. Judge James Osborn announced his decision to retire effective Oct. 1, while Judge Gary Miller will step down at the end of his term on Dec. 31. The selection committee expressed its gratitude to both judges for their years of dedicated public service.
The Finalist Panels
Following public interviews conducted on Sept. 22 and 23 at the Community Justice Center, the committee evaluated 26 applicants before deliberating in executive session. The committee then publicly voted to send two separate panels of five nominees to the governor’s office.
Panel 1 (Vacancy created by Judge James Osborn):
- Magistrate Ross Anderson
- Jayson McGrath
- Magistrate Katharine Melnick
- Magistrate Terrance Tharpe
- Samantha Weichert
Panel 2 (Vacancy created by Judge Gary Miller):
- Magistrate Marcia Harper
- Magistrate David Hooper
- Magistrate Andrew Kobe
- Magistrate Matthew Symons
- Magistrate Michelle Waymire
Next Steps in the Appointment Process
Under Indiana law, the selection committee is required to identify and submit “five of the most highly qualified candidates” for each open seat on the bench.
With the two slates officially submitted, Governor Mike Braun now has 60 days to make the final judicial appointments. Details on the selection committee, including its full membership and statutory guidelines, are available online through the Indiana Judicial Branch website.
