When John Weddle tells you he’s going to do something, he does it.”

Senior Chancellor Jacqueline Mask

Judge John D. Weddle took the oath of office at a ceremony in Tupelo on Oct. 11 and began his term on the Mississippi Court of Appeals on Oct. 14.

Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Randolph administered the oath at the Lee County Justice Center. He presented Judge Weddle with a copy of the Mississippi Constitution. He noted that the judicial oath ends with “so help me God” and that the constitutions of all 50 states invoke the name of God. “Don’t be afraid to recognize God,” he said.

Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Virginia Carlton said, “We are thrilled to have you and we look forward to working with you.”

Gov. Tate Reeves appointed Judge Weddle, 55, of Saltillo, to a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jim M. Greenlee of Oxford. The term will end on Jan. 4, 2027. A special election will be scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, for Court of Appeals District 1, Position 1.

Judge Weddle said, “I want to thank the Governor for giving me the opportunity to serve on the Court of Appeals.”

U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly, who preceded Weddle as District Attorney, recalled recruiting him as an assistant district attorney in 2011. Weddle followed Kelly as District Attorney in 2015. Kelly said that Weddle has the aptitude for public service and the demeanor to be a Court of Appeals judge. “People have to know and believe they will be treated fairly,” he said.

Senior Chancellor Jacqueline Mask recalled working with Weddle for the past three years on the Themis Law Camp, a program that introduces high school students to careers in the legal profession. “When John Weddle tells you he’s going to do something, he does it,” she said.

The Governor appointed Jason D. Herring as the new District Attorney. “You have big shoes to fill,” Judge Mask told Herring.

Kelly told another story about Weddle’s shoes. “When he was in first grade, my wife had to tie his shoes.” Sheila Kelly now works as the victim-witness assistant in the District Attorney’s office. “She still has to tie his shoes,” Kelly said jokingly.

Judge Weddle said that Rep. Kelly never misses an opportunity to tell that story. “My first grade teacher threatened to cut my shoelaces off,” he said. He wore brown Oxfords at the ceremony. “I looked down and they were a little loose.”

Judge Weddle thanked all who came to wish him well, especially his family, including his parents, Rev. William S. Weddle and Elizabeth Weddle, his wife Karen Weddle, their son Andrew Weddle, his sister Annette Whatley, and his mother-in-law Patricia Cochran. Daughter Anna Grace Weddle was unable to attend. Rev. Weddle gave the invocation at the ceremony, and hugged his son in a warm embrace afterwards.

Judge Weddle thanked former Circuit Judge Thomas Gardner of Tupelo, who gave him some of his early legal experience by appointing him as Lee County Public Defender. He got a lot of experience in the courtroom.

He was appointed as Tupelo Municipal Court Judge before he became an Assistant District Attorney for the First Circuit Judicial District. He has held a range of leadership positions including Mississippi Prosecutors Association president and treasurer, and Special Assistant District Attorney, where he focused on crimes against women and children. He serves on the Mississippi Corrections and Criminal Justice Task Force.

He grew up in Webster County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Mississippi State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1995.