FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Supreme Court justices chose
John D. Minton on Monday as the fifth chief justice of Kentucky to
replace Joseph E. Lambert.

Minton will take the oath of office at the Capitol on June 27,
just after Lambert's retirement takes effect. Lambert announced his
retirement from the court on April 24.

Minton was elected to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in November
2006 to represent the 2nd Supreme Court District. He had been
appointed to the high court on July 24, 2006, to fill a vacancy
created by Supreme Court Justice William S. Cooper, who retired
June 30, 2006.

Minton, a native of Cadiz, also has experience on the Kentucky
Court of Appeals and as a circuit judge for 11 years from 1992 to
2003 in Warren County.

Lambert's seat on the court will remain vacant. Under state law,
Kentucky's Judicial Nominating Commission will provide Gov. Steve
Beshear a list of three candidates for consideration to replace
Lambert until an election can be held. Beshear must choose the
replacement from the commission's nominees.

Voters would choose the permanent replace in November's general
election, unless a special election is held sooner than that.