ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Earlier this week, a judge listened to arguments over who has the official authority to appoint the next prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County.
Earlier this week, Judge Brian May heard arguments over who has official authority to appoint the next St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney between St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.
Both Parson and Page both claim different reasons why they have the choice to pick Congressman-elect Wesley Bell's successor, with Dr. Page pointing to the St. Louis County charter, while Parson points to the Missouri Constitution.
Over the last few weeks, both Page and Parson named their picks for St. Louis County Prosecutor, with Page naming former federal prosecutor Cort VanOstran as his pick, while Parson named Melissa Price Smith, who has been a member of the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office since 2008, as his choice.
KMOX Political Analysts John Hancock and Michael Kelley, hosts of 'Hancock and Kelley' gave their takes on the ongoing legal battle as of Friday morning to determine Bell's successor.
Kelley, in his opinion, thinks that Page has a valid argument in his case.
"(Page) is saying 'hey I get to make the appointment here' and there is precedent. Steve Ehlmann, the Republican St. Charles County Executive, got to make his appointment," said Kelley. " The governor is now weighing in saying 'I'm going to make my appointment.'"
"Sam Page has a good argument...so now as a result, we're sitting in court and now waiting what's going to happen."
However, Kelley and Hancock both think the state and Gov. Parson will prevail in the legal battle.
"The state constitution gives the governor that authority," said Hancock. "I suspect that is how it's going to end up. Page here, his just utter inability to work and play well with others, those chickens are coming home to roost."
Hancock and Kelley also discussed the allegations made by Price Smith at a County council meeting this week that Price Smith was allegedly pressured by an associate of Page to dig up 'dirt' on a political rival.
"If that is the case, and if I'm the governor and this is my appointee, I think we need to know a little bit more about what is being alleged here," said Kelley. "This wasn't something said in passing, this was said under oath and I'm surprised it hasn't gotten a little bit more of an examination."