ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office made a huge announcement Tuesday, adding a Missouri Supreme Court Justice into their ranks.
On Tuesday, the Circuit Attorney's office announced that retired Missouri Supreme Court Judge George W. Draper III will join the office.
Draper will officially join the Circuit Attorney's Office on Oct. 23, serving as Chief Training Officer.
“It is a rare honor to have a man of Judge Draper’s impeccable character and vast legal expertise return to his roots in this office to train our team,” said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore in a statement. “He will provide our attorneys with an incomparable education that not only will promote excellence while they are in this office, but also serve them well for the rest of their careers."
This will be Draper's second stint as part of the Circuit Attorney's Office. Before he served on the Missouri State Supreme Court, Draper worked in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office for over a decade from 1984-1994.
Draper left the office after he was appointed to the bench as associate circuit judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County).
Draper served on the Missouri Supreme Court from 2011 until his retirement on Aug. 2. Draper was the second Black judge to ever serve on the Missouri Supreme Court.
Draper also served as the high court’s chief justice from July 2019 to July 21, 2021.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with prosecutors on Gabe Gore’s team and share the knowledge I have gained from my years in the courtroom – on both sides of the bench,” Judge Draper said.