Harold Willocks, Averil George and Antonio Stevens Receive Approving Nods From Lawmakers

Lawmakers in the Committee of Rules and Judiciary have voted in favor of three nominations sent down by Governor Albert Bryan Jr for key positions in the territory: Harold Willocks as a justice of the Supreme Court, Averil George as commissioner of the V.I. Department of Human Services, and Antonio Stevens as director of Fire and Emergency Services.

In his brief testimony, Judge Willocks spoke of his over 30-year tenure in public service, which includes his 1992 appointment as the territory’s Chief Public Defender. In 2009, he was tapped for his first 6-year term as a judge at the V.I. Superior Court, a position he held for three terms. At the time of his Supreme Court nomination, Judge Willocks was serving as the Superior Court’s administrative judge.

Following his remarks, Senator Marise James, a lawyer herself, pointedly asked Willocks whether he actually wanted to be a Supreme Court judge or whether “this is something that just fell in your lap.” Willocks, who admitted that he prefers not to spotlight his accomplishments, responded by stating, “I can help the people of the Virgin Islands far more sitting [on] a Supreme Court bench than I could as a trial judge.”

His nomination received favorable votes from all committee members present during Wednesday’s meeting.