U.S. Appellate Judge Withdraws as Candidate for Top Post at FBI

Federal Judge William W. Wilkins Jr., a leading candidate to become FBI chief, withdrew his name from consideration Friday.

White House and Senate officials said Wilkins, 45, a member of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Greenville, S.C., decided to stay on the bench instead.

Interviewed by Meese

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Wilkins had been interviewed by Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III for the FBI position, but Wilkins withdrew his name and was “not offered” the job.

Neither Fitzwater nor Justice Department officials had any comment on other possible candidates for the FBI post.

The job has been vacant since William H. Webster left the FBI to take over the CIA. He was nominated as CIA director on March 3 and was sworn in on May 26.

Wilkins said the decision was difficult but was made because of “family considerations and my strong desire to continue to serve on the federal bench.”

Wilkins, who also heads the U.S. Sentencing Commission, had been heavily promoted for the FBI job by Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), despite charges by critics within the sentencing commission that he was not qualified for the post and would have trouble receiving Senate confirmation.

Opposed Death Penalty

Other sources had said that Wilkins’ candidacy had been doomed because he opposed reinstating the death penalty. However, the judge said he believes he would have been approved.

Although he was not considered a strong contender initially, Wilkins emerged after several others rejected consideration for the 10-year appointment.