Griffin Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant District Attorney Al Dixon is among five people the governor is considering to fill the late Judge Rowland Barnes' post.

Barnes, 64, served as a superior court judge for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit until he was murdered on March 11 at the Fulton County Courthouse.

Accused rapist Brian Nichols, 33, of Atlanta, allegedly killed Barnes; Barnes' court reporter, Julia Ann Brandau; Deputy Sgt. Hoyt Teasley; U.S. Customs Agent David Wilhelm; and critically injured Deputy Cynthia Hall during the rampage.

On Thursday, Gov. Sonny Perdue's Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted recommendations to fill the vacancy on the Superior Court of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.�

Among the nominees are:

- Dixon

- Christopher S. Brasher, senior assistant Attorney General for the Georgia Department of Law

- Fred C. Eady, Magistrate Judge for Fulton County Superior Court

- David N. Schaeffer, a law partner for Kidd & Vaughan LLP law firm in Atlanta

- Craig L. Schwall Sr., judge for the State Court of Fulton County

Dixon, a former Atlanta police officer turned prosecutor who was the first to slap the handcuffs on convicted Atlanta Child Murder Wayne Williams, joined Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard's team on April 11.

Dixon, 52, previously headed up the major felony unit in the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. Dixon was in charge of Nichols' quadruple murder case prior to joining Ballard's Fayette County office.

Dixon indicated he loves his new position, but becoming a judge would be a great opportunity and he would be thrilled to get the job.

"I would be excited about it," Dixon said. "I'm enjoying what I am doing here in Fayette County and the people and working with Scott Ballard, but that would be a new opportunity."

Dixon was interviewed for the position on Thursday, but the selection process is far from over.

"The next step is the governor's office which would schedule an appointment to meet with Gov. Perdue," Dixon said.