Former judge joins Jackson County prosecutor’s office

A former Jackson County judge has agreed to join the staff of prosecutor’s office.

Edith Messina, who retired in January, will examine the office’s diversion programs, including drug court, attorney training and special projects, which have not yet been clearly defined, a prosecutor’s spokesman said.

Messina’s experience will benefit both the office and the community, said Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

“I’m excited to bring her professionalism and legal credibility to our office, and I’m grateful she accepted a further call to public service,” Baker said in a written statement.

When Gov. Christopher S. Bond selected Messina for the judgeship in 1984, it made her the first female circuit judge on the Jackson County bench.

Mark Morris, mmorris@kcstar.com

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Former judge joins Jackson County prosecutor’s office."