KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has appointed an Anderson County Assistant Attorney General to serve as Knox County's next criminal court judge.

Lee's office made the announcement on Friday that Emily Abbott has been appointed to serve in the 6th Judicial District Criminal Court, which includes Knox County, effective immediately. Abbott was one of three individuals nominated for the position in June to fill the seat of the previous judge, Steven Sword.

Sword was appointed to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division on June 2. He was promoted to the position by Lee in February, and the Tennessee lawmakers confirmed his position in March.

Abbott currently serves as the Assistant District Attorney General for the 7th Judicial District, which covers An

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