PRESS RELEASE

SALT LAKE CITY (Apr. 10, 2025) – The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the Fourth District Court. This position results from the retirement of Judge Robert Lunnen, August 1, 2025.

The nominees for the vacancy are: Von Christiansen, County Attorney, Beaver County; Joshua Esplin, Assistant Director/Trial Attorney, Utah County Public Defenders Association; Tony Graf, Deputy County Attorney, Davis County Attorney’s Office, Volunteer Judge Pro Tempore, Salt Lake City Justice Court; Samuel Pead, Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office; Ryan Stack, Deputy County Attorney/Prosecuting Attorney, Summit County.

Written comments can be submitted to the Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon on Apr. 21, 2025. The Nominating Commission may request further information or conduct an investigation of the nominees after reviewing public comments. After the public comment period, the names will be sent to Gov. Spencer J. Cox, who will have 30 days to make an appointment. Gov. Cox’s appointee is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

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