Newport prosecutor takes his seat as judge

Gov. Gray Davis has appointed Newport Beach resident M. Marc Kelly, a

senior deputy Orange County District Attorney, to the Orange County

Superior Court.

Kelly, 40, was elected in March to the Superior Court by Orange County

voters. He was scheduled to take the office in January 2001. Davis’

appointment means he can begin his six-year term immediately.

Kelly will replace Judge Myron S. Brown, who retired from the post.

As a prosecutor, Kelly part of the target gang unit of the district

attorney’s office. He was the recipient of the Victim-Witness Outstanding

Prosecution and Human Service Award in 1999 for his role in convicting

three gang members who stabbed and killed a San Clemente grocery store

employee.