African-American Okla. judges honored by Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Four groundbreaking African-American judges have been honored by the Oklahoma Senate.

The Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution honoring U.S. District Judge Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Tom Colbert, Court of Criminal Appeals Judge David Lewis and Tulsa County District Court Judge Carlos Chappelle.

Miles-LaGrange was the first African American elected chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma in 2008.

Colbert was appointed in 2004 as the first African American to serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, while Lewis was the first African American to serve as chief judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Chappelle was the first African American appointed district judge in Tulsa County. Colbert, Lewis and Chappelle were all appointed by former Gov. Brad Henry.