Video: 3 Judge Panel Rules Thompson Cannot Run on November Ballot

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) -A panel of three Federal judges has ruled that former Lee County Justice Court Judge Rickey Thompson cannot be on the November ballot as a candidate for that position.

Last month, the Mississippi Supreme Court removed Thompson from office after ruling he violated the constitutional rights of citizens appearing before him.

In their ruling, the three judge panel said Thompson’s claims regarding state law should have been filed in state court. Meantime, Lee County Democratic officials have decided to place Marcus Crump’s name on the ballot for the position.

“It’s very complicated, complex, one of the most complicated issues I’ve ever been involved in, involved Mississippi Constitution, Mississippi Annotated Code, various statues in that code and the legal, the hearing Friday in Jackson was more than five hours long.”

Thompson’s attorney, Jim Waide, says there will likely be an appeal to state court, however, he concedes there may not be enough time to get his client’s name on the ballot. Absentee ballots must be mailed overseas by next weekend.