LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced his intention to make the following appointments:
Sam Terry, Fort Smith, as State District Court Judge for the Fort Smith District of Sebastian County. Mr. Terry’s term will begin July 1, 2019, and expire December 31, 2020. He will replace Judge Gunner DeLay, who will be sworn in as Circuit Judge on July 1, 2019.
Robert Presley, Crawford County, as Prosecuting Attorney for the Twenty-first Judicial District. Mr. Presley’s term will begin July 1, 2019, and expire December 31, 2020. He will replace Marc McCune, who will be sworn in as Circuit Judge on July 1, 2019.
Governor Hutchinson released the following statement:
“I have no doubt that these two individuals, with their respective backgrounds and experience, will do an exceptional job in these new roles. Throughout their careers, both have developed a deep understanding of the law and have shown integrity in the courtroom. These traits will serve them and the people of Arkansas well, and I appreciate their willingness to serve.”
Sam Terry, a native of Fort Smith, received his juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2005. Terry is a former prosecutor and a former law clerk to United States District Judge P.K. Holmes III. He is an active member of the Sebastian County Election Commission, the Children’s Emergency Shelter Foundation, the HOPE Humane Society, and the Sebastian County Bar Association.
Robert Presley graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1994 and became a Deputy Prosecutor in Sebastian and Crawford County the same year. Presley has prosecuted over 100 jury trials since becoming the Chief Deputy Prosecutor in Crawford County in 2000. Presley served in the United States Navy for ten years as a deep-sea diver, before leaving active duty to attend law school. He served another 20 years as a reservist.
