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Missouri Judge Stops Appointment of Nixon as Public Defender

Republicans in the Missouri Senate want to make sure the governor doesn't create a health care exchange without their consent.
KBIA/file photo
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KBIA
Republicans in the Missouri Senate want to make sure the governor doesn't create a health care exchange without their consent.

A Missouri judge is blocking the state public defender director from appointing Gov. Jay Nixon to a case.

An order Thursday by Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce said only courts can appoint defenders.

Missouri Public Defender System Director Michael Barrett appointed Nixon to the case in protest of what he says is inadequate funding to hire enough public defenders for people who can't afford to hire lawyers.

Nixon is a former state attorney general.

Nixon said in a statement Thursday the public defender's office has received an increase in funding since he's been in office. He said the agency should work on increasing efficiency before asking for more money.

Barrett didn't immediately return Associated Press requests for comment Thursday.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.