Longtime friend of former I.F. prosecutor eyes judgeshipJohn Stosich has applied for two magistrate jobs.
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By COREY TAULE
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ctaule@postregister.com
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John Stosich may be entangled in the Kimball Mason case, but that didn't stop the Idaho Falls attorney from applying for two magistrate judge openings in eastern Idaho. Stosich has not been charged in the Mason case. But court documents show that Stosich, a longtime friend of the former prosecutor, stashed guns Mason took from the Idaho Falls Police Department's evidence room. Stosich also told Idaho attorney general's office investigators that he watched Mason use Magistrate Judge L. Mark Riddoch's signature stamp on a court order. That incident is now under investigation. As a result of his involvement, Stosich resigned from his position on Idaho Falls' Civil Service Commission, which assists in the hiring of municipal employees and reviews allegations of employee misconduct. Stosich has also lost his $24,000-a-year contract with Bonneville County to serve as a public defender for people facing misdemeanor charges within Idaho Falls' city limits. "I didn't really consider the investigation when I made the application," Stosich said. "I think they're two different things." The 7th Judicial District Magistrate Commission will meet in Blackfoot on Oct. 13 to select replacements for judges William Hollerich of Clark County and Jerry Meyers of Lemhi County. Hollerich resigned Sept. 1 to take a job with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Meyers will retire Jan. 10 to be a senior judge and professional hunting guide in Botswana. Bingham County Prosecutor J. Scott Andrew also applied for both jobs. Andrew was a finalist to replace Magistrate Judge James Archibald, who resigned and is now Mason's attorney. Also applying for both positions are former Idaho Falls mayoral candidate Victor Bunitsky; Jefferson County Deputy Prosecutor Penny Jo Stanford; and Cindy Campbell, the 7th Judicial District's court assistance officer. Overall, 11 lawyers applied for the positions.
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