Northeast Mississippi attorney appointed to Court of Appeals. See who

Weddle to start new role Oct. 14.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has appointed a Saltillo-based district attorney to fill a vacant seat on the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

On Wednesday, the governor’s office announced John Weddle will replace former District 1 position 1 Judge Jim M. Greenlee, who retired earlier this year. Greenlee had served on the court since 2016.

Weddle’s judgeship will begin Oct. 14.

“I’m proud to appoint John as a judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals,” Reeves said in a press release Wednesday. “His years of legal experience and public service make him an excellent addition to the court. I look forward to seeing the good things John will accomplish on behalf of Mississippians.”

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Weddle has been practicing law since 1995. In his time, he has served as district attorney for the First Circuit Court Judicial District since 2015, previously as a public defender in Lee County, as a municipal court judge in Tupelo and as an assistant district attorney for the First Circuit Court Judicial District.

Weddle has also held leadership positions with the Mississippi Prosecutor’s Association as president and treasurer, and he has also served as a special assistant district attorney focusing on crimes against women and children.

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As part of the appointment, Weddle will also have to run in a special nonpartisan appeals court judge race on Nov. 3, 2026, to keep the seat and serve out the remainder of the current judge seat’s term, which ends in 2030.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.