An east Arkansas circuit judge who was the first black man to be elected to his position in Phillips County died Saturday.
Circuit Judge L.T. Simes II of Helena-West Helena died from complications of leukemia at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., family members and friends said.
Simes, 65, was first elected as circuit judge in the 1st Judicial Circuit in 1996. He served in that position, presiding over cases in Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, St. Francis and Woodruff counties, until 2009 when he was removed from office. He won re-election in 2011 and served in the judgeship until his death.
Before becoming a judge, Simes practiced law for 21 years in Phillips County. He also served on the Arkansas Soil and Water Commission, an appointment made by then-Gov. Bill Clinton.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.