POMEROY - Fred Crow III has filed as a Republican candidate for the office of Judge for the 4th District Court of Appeals for the March 2 primary election.

The 4th District Court of Appeals is a panel of judges who are responsible for ruling on cases that are appealed from various courts in Adams, Athens, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Washington counties. Crow is seeking the seat left vacant by retiring Republican Judge David T. Evans.

Crow, 58, currently holds the office of judge of Meigs County Common Pleas Court. He has held this office for 15 years. He has been assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to act as a visiting Common Pleas Court Judge in more than half of the 4th District's counties, including Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Pickaway, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. These cases have been concerning all areas of law, including capital cases.

He has also been assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to preside over many cases, including homicide and capital cases. These cases occurred in several southern Ohio counties including Fairfield and Morgan counties. He was a judge assigned to hear death penalty cases concerning the 1993 Lucasville riot and has presided over the largest civil case in Meigs County court history which led to a $6 million judgement.

Crow has also been assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to hear several cases concerning individuals within the judicial system, including an election fraud case and separate felony cases against a chief of police, a prosecuting attorney and a sheriff.

Prior to holding the office of Judge of Meigs County Common Pleas Court, Crow was elected to the office of Meigs County Prosecuting Attorney in 1977, a position he held for 12 years by continual re-election. In this capacity, he argued and won various felony cases, including over 20 homicide cases.

Crow also worked as an attorney in private practice from 1973 to 1989 at the law firm of Crow & Crow, located in Pomeroy. From 1970 to 1973, he was the police legal advisor for the City of Dayton's Police Department. From 1969 to 1970, he worked as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General.

Crow holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from The Ohio State University, which he obtained in 1970 and is a 1967 graduate of Ohio University, holding a bachelor of arts in business.

"I'm really excited about running for the office of Judge for the 4th District Court of Appeals," Crow said. "I know I possess the experience for the job due to the 15 years I have spent in the Court of Common Pleas in Meigs County."

Crow currently serves on the Septa Correctional Facility Board. He is a Senior Steward in the Pomeroy-Racine Masonic Lodge 164 F and AM, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the Athens County Shrine Club. Crow and his family attend Middleport Church of Christ.