Gov. Cooper Announces New Judicial Appointments

Governor Roy Cooper today announced two judicial appointments to the North Carolina Superior Court.

“Our state depends on experienced, dedicated public servants like these appointees to fill critical roles in our justice system,” Gov. Cooper said. “I appreciate their commitment to serving the people of North Carolina.”

Gov. Cooper appointed Stephan Futrell as a Superior Court Judge in District 16A, serving Anson, Scotland, Hoke and Richmond counties. He will fill the vacancy created by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Richard Brown, who is retiring.

Futrell has served as the County Attorney for Richmond County for nearly 20 years and previously served as City Attorney for the City of Hamlet. He has also served as an attorney at Kitchin Neal Webb Webb & Futrell, PA since 1985. Futrell holds an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Gov. Cooper also appointed District Court Judge Peter Knight as a Superior Court Judge in District 29B, serving Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties. Judge Knight will fill the vacancy created by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Mark Powell, who retired last month.

Judge Knight brings nearly 10 years of experience as a District Court Judge in District 29B to his new appointment. He previously served as an attorney in private practice in Henderson County and surrounding areas for nearly three decades. Judge Knight has also volunteered his time to various nonprofit and faith-based community organizations, including the YMCA of Henderson County and Grace Lutheran Church. He holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.