Sevier County, Ark., Deputy Prosecutor Ralph Keen has been appointed prosecuting attorney for the 9th Judicial District.

Keen, who was appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe, will serve as the prosecutor until Dec. 31.

A vacancy was created when Prosecuting Attorney Tom Cooper resigned June 30. Cooper resigned to avoid any conflict of interest in possible court cases he might have to preside over when he becomes 9th West Judicial District Judge on Jan. 1.

“Ralph is a good choice by the governor to fill the next six months. Ralph has been a good deputy prosecutor,” sa...