Judge Maria Cabret of St. Croix is Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's choice to be presiding judge of the Territorial Court.
Cabret will replace Judge Verne A. Hodge in the top administrative post when Hodge retires next month. St. Thomas attorney Rhys Hodge will fill Hodge's seat on the St. Thomas bench.
Both appointments were announced Friday afternoon at a Government House press conference.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull also announced his reappointment of Territorial Court Judge Ive A. Swan in St. Thomas.
Cabret has been in charge of the St. Croix branch of the Territorial Court and has won general praise for her handling of those administrative responsibilities.
Her appointment will mark the first time the presiding judgeship will go to a St. Croix judge and to a woman. Verne Hodge has been presiding judge since the Territorial Court was established in the mid-'70s.
