The Senate confirmed Wednesday the appointment of former Summit County attorney Robert Adkins to the 3rd District bench.

Having served as Summit County attorney for 30 years, Adkins had served eight consecutive terms, the longest of any county attorney. Addressing the Senate, Adkins said being a judge is the highest form of public service an attorney can obtain and that he was honored to be nominated by Gov. Olene Walker.

"This has been a long and sometimes vigorous process," Adkins said. His confirmation comes after three days of sometimes heated testimony by several citizens. They accused Adkins of failing to adequately prosecute in several domestic violence cases as well as one auto-bicycle accident which claimed the life of a young woman. Adkins was also criticized for his decision to prosecute Paul Wayment in the disappearance of his 2-year-old son Gage. Wayment committed suicide the same day he was sentenced to jail.

Sen. Chris Buttars, chair of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee, said after prosecuting cases for 30 years, one is bound to have people who do not like him. Other senators praised Adkins for his accomplishments. The Senate vote was 28 in favor with one absent.