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Commissioner McGowan appointed as Callahan County representative to Concho Valley Public Defender oversight board
Summary
The commissioners appointed Commissioner McGowan to a two‑year term on the Concho Valley Public Defender oversight board after a presentation from Chief Public Defender Elizabeth Berry.
Callahan County commissioners appointed Commissioner McGowan on March 10 to serve as the county’s representative on the Concho Valley Public Defender office oversight board for a two‑year term that began Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
Elizabeth Berry, chief public defender for the Concho Valley Public Defender’s Office, told the court the regional public defender began handling cases in the area in July 2023 and that the office currently has eight lawyers in the Abilene office. Berry said the office handles felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases and has handled approximately 15 cases in Callahan County with about 30 pending, most of them felonies.
Berry said the oversight board meets quarterly by Zoom and includes representatives from each of the 11 counties in the office’s service area. Berry declined to serve on the county seat oversight role because of a potential conflict between oversight responsibilities and practicing in the same courts.
Commissioner Windham moved to appoint Commissioner McGowan; Commissioner Farmer seconded the motion. The court voted unanimously in favor.
