The interim prosecuting attorney for Moniteau County has resigned, citing the demands of her private practice as preventing her from also serving as interim prosecutor.
Derek Spencer has been named interim prosecuting attorney.
Eight days ago, Ann Perry filled the position left by former prosecuting attorney Shayne Healea, who entered a guilty plea Sept. 4 to three counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of DWI. The charges were connected to a Oct. 24, 2014, incident in which he backed his pickup truck into a restaurant in downtown Columbia, causing several customers inside the building injury. As part of the plea bargain, Healea resigned his position and agreed to remove his name from the Moniteau County ballot.
Perry said the reason for her own resignation was to focus more on her own pursuits.
"I was honored to be asked by Presiding Judge Hayden to serve as interim Moniteau County prosecuting attorney," Perry said in a release. "Unfortunately, the demands of my private practice do not allow me to serve both as interim prosecuting attorney and continue in my practice."
Perry thanked the Moniteau County Republican Committee for its part in the selection.
The Moniteau County Republican party is still deciding on a nominee; the Democrat party has chosen not to provide a nominee.