Update at 3:04 p.m. Dec. 31: The Herald has confirmed that Judge Yekel sent a letter of resignation to Gov. Brian Kemp on Dec. 6 with an effective date of Dec. 30. In his resignation letter Yekel stated, “I feel that the office of State Court Judge of Effingham County is too important to be decided by only six percent of the eligible voters in Effingham County.”
According to the Effingham County Elections office, 2,886 (6.25%) of 46,188 registered voters cast their ballots in the June 18 runoff election. Yekel lost to Melissa Calhoun 1,407 to 1,088 votes in the runoff.
Gov. Kemp rejected Judge Yekel’s request to resign in a letter dated Dec. 12 stating, “Regardless of the low turnout for this year’s runoff election, the people of Effingham County have spoken…the results of a fair election should not be nullified on the basis of a manufactured legal technicality.”
Kemp cited a state law saying that an office of the state shall be vacated by resignation when accepted, and he emphasized the phrase “when accepted” in italics.
“Your resignation is not effective unless I accept it,” Kemp’s letter continued. “And out of respect for the will of the people of Effingham County, I must decline to do so.”
Update at 12:13 p.m. Dec. 31: The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office confirms that State Court Judge Stephen Yekel committed suicide. Deputies found his body inside an empty courtroom in the Effingham County Courthouse around 10:30 a.m. Dec. 31.
Today was to be his last day on the bench. Judge Yekel lost his re-election bid in the June 18 runoff election to Judge Melissa Calhoun.
Local Savannah TV station WTOC reports Chief Judge F. Gates Peed has issued an order closing the courthouse for the rest of the day. Normal courthouse operations will resume Jan. 2, 2025. All county offices closed at noon, Dec. 31.
The ECSO is continuing its investigation.
Original story
Effingham County sheriff’s deputies responded with a heavy presence to the county courthouse early Tuesday morning Dec. 31.
The Herald is following up on reports that Judge Steven Yekel may have taken his life inside one of the empty courtrooms.
The Effingham County Board of Commissioners released a statement assuring county employees can receive support and resources if they need them. A crisis-response team will be available Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 at the County Administrative Complex in Springfield. County employees may call 1-855-283-1917 to arrange face-to-face counseling sessions with a local provider at no charge.
This is a developing story. The Herald will post updates as they become available.
[Editor’s note: If you need help getting through a mental health crisis, call the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, free and available 24/7/365. You will be connected with a skilled, judgment-free counselor who will give you compassion and support.]
