Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. (File / WRDW-TV)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

ATLANTA (AP) -- Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed two new judges to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The Daily Report says Deal chose Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge William "Billy" Ray Jr. and lawyer Elizabeth "Lisa" Branch for the appeals court openings.

The court has two vacancies after Keith Blackwell was recently sworn in as a Georgia Supreme Court justice and Charles Mikell announced he plans to retire from the court at the end of next month.

Ray and Branch had been on a short list for the state Supreme Court opening filled by Blackwell.

The Daily Report says Deal's selections were announced in an unusually short amount of time after his Judicial Nominating Commission this week finished its work vetting candidates for the openings.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)