New Ind. Supreme Court chief justice named

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Brent Dickson is the new chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court – and he had to be persuaded to take the job.

He was talked into it, he said, by judges, businessmen and others concerned about turnover on the Supreme Court.

"Our employees needed to know that stability was going to reign," he said.

The vote on the judicial nominating commission was unanimous after three of Dickson's colleagues endorsed him.

"If you're asking me what we should be looking for in a chief justice," said Justice Mark Massa, gesturing toward Dickson, "I think he's sitting there."

"What I would look for if I were you," said Justice Steven David who then simply nodded in the direction of Dickson prompting laughter.

"We couldn't ask for a better person at this particular time," said Justice Robert Rucker.

Dickson replaces Randall Shepherd, who served as chief justice for 25 years. At age 70, he will reach the mandatory retirement age of 75 before his first five-year term is up. He may leave sooner.

When asked how long he will stay, Dickson said: "I don't know. I really don't know. It kind of depends on a lot of personal issues, the issues of filling out the court."

The five-member court has seen two retirements this year, and another may be on the way. That's because Justice Robert Rucker faces a retention vote in the November election, and he may choose to avoid it. Dickson expects him to make a decision by July.