Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 24, 1995 TAG: 9502240090
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
He would replace Justice Henry Whiting, who is retiring.
The Democratic caucuses in the Senate and the House of Delegates both agreed to nominate Koontz. The full General Assembly will formally vote on the appointment today. Because Democrats control both chambers, selection by the caucus virtually assures appointment.
Koontz appointment makes him the court's only justice from the Roanoke Valley or Southwest Virginia.
He was considered a leading candidate for the Supreme Court in 1987, but that opportunity went for nought when the Roanoke Valley delegation in the General Assembly failed to unite behind him. Whiting ended up with the seat.
Koontz's nomination this time was supported by both the Roanoke and Roanoke County-Salem bar associations. He was the only candidate from the Roanoke Valley, making the nomination less subject to the kind of political maneuvering that cost him the seat the first time.
Koontz became a judge in 1967, when he was a 27-year-old assistant commonwealth's attorney in Roanoke. He served on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court until he was appointed to a Circuit Court judgeship 1976.
In 1985, he became one of the first 10 members of the Court of Appeals, a newly created intermediate appellate court.
The Democrats also selected Fairfax County Circuit Judge Rosemarie P. Annunziata to fill a Virginia Court of Appeals slot that will be vacated by Judge Bernard G. Barrow, who is retiring.
However, Senate and House Democrats are at odds over a nominee to replace Koontz. The Senate choice is Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Chris Hutton. The House chose Hopewell lawyer James Vergara.
If neither side backs down, a different nominee may be selected.
Staff writer Matt Chittum contributed information to this story.
by CNB