Retired Judge Vanessa Harris is expected to temporarily fill the Lafayette City Court seat left vacant by the sudden death of Judge Jules Edwards on Oct. 15.
City Court Judge Doug Saloom said Harris is expected to start in November. Meanwhile, other judges are taking on the task of filling in for Edwards this week and next, he said.
Edwards, 66, was found unresponsive Oct. 15 and is believed to have died of natural causes.
Visitation is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on 12th Street in Lafayette. A rosary will be said at 9 a.m. and a funeral service will follow at noon at the church.
Edwards will be buried at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery & Mausoleum. Syrie Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Vannessa Harris
Harris, a retired Opelousas City Court judge, previously was appointed to temporarily fill the Lafayette City Court Division A seat in January 2022 until an election that November.
The Division A seat was vacated by the resignation of Michelle Odinet in December 2021 over alleged use of a racial slur in her home. She had defeated Edwards for the City Court seat in November 2020.
Edwards was elected to replace her during a special election in November 2022. He took office in January 2023.