The pretrial hearing for the election contest filed by mayoral candidate Johnny Moore is set for Friday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m.
At the hearing there will be pretrial motions and the discussion of discovery issues in the case.
Judge Barry Ford was appointed to the case in June 2017 by the Mississippi Supreme Court.
The Mississippi Supreme Court in June of 2017 denied an interlocutory appeal and recognition of stay filed by Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill concerning the jurisdiction of a special appointed judge to hear the election contest filed by mayoral candidate Johnny Moore.
The state’s highest court denying the appeal means the matter will now be heard in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court, which is set for Feb. 5.
During the first hearing, Moore’s legal counsel William Starks said there are several affidavit ballots, nine in particular and over 50 absentee ballots that need to be inspected.
Spruill was certified as the winner by seven votes in May.
Despite the challenge moving forward, Spruill still holds Starkville’s highest office after being sworn in on July 3, 2017.