Georgia's governor has appointed five people to fill vacancies on the state's appellate courts.
Gov. Nathan Deal on Wednesday announced that Court of Appeals judges Michael Boggs and Nels Peterson, as well as attorney general's office solicitor general Britt Grant, have been appointed to serve on the Georgia Supreme Court.
One of the high court vacancies was created by the resignation of Chief Justice Hugh Thompson. The other two were created by legislation passed this year that expands the number of justices from seven to nine.
Deal appointed state Sen. Charlie Bethel, R-Dalton, and Macon Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Tillman "Tripp" Self III to fill the seats on the Court of Appeals vacated by Boggs and Peterson.
The appointments are set to take effect on Jan. 1.