HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (AP) - A Cass County judge has ruled that a newly elected presiding commissioner can't serve because of a felony conviction.
Herschel Young, a Republican, was elected last fall to be presiding commissioner, but he was temporarily barred from office for punching a man in 1995.
Cass County Circuit Judge Jacqueline Cook ruled Friday that Young's old guilty plea to assault made his run illegal.
County Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Hensley sued when Young took the oath in January, on the grounds that Missouri law says felons can't hold elective office.
Young called the case political. He told The Kansas City Star that he was shocked by the decision and he planned to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com