The absence of Circuit Judge Edward McFerrin has not slowed the wheels of justice in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

“We’ve pretty much remained on schedule,” said Allen Stephenson, Butler County Circuit Clerk. “Some of the other judges have been able to work their schedules to fill in for Judge McFerrin.”

McFerrin has struggled for almost three months to overcome an illness that has left physicians baffled. He was initially admitted to L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital for pneumonia, but was then transferred to Montgomery and finally to Birmingham. Confined to a hospital bed, his lungs filling up with fluid, McFerrin said doctors offered little hope for his recovery.

“They thought I was a goner,” said McFerrin.

McFerrin has slowly been working his way back to good health. He attended a meeting of the local American Legion chapter earlier this month and has been seen at the Butler County Courthouse, visiting with Stephenson and other elected officials.

The time away from work has also taken some getting used to.

“I’ve been away from work, now, for about 11 weeks,” McFerrin said.

Meanwhile, John Maxell Karrh from Tuscaloosa is sitting in for McFerrin behind the bench. District judges in Lowndes, Butler, and Crenshaw Counties, (Terri Bozeman-Lovell, MacDonald Russell, and Tom Sport, respectively), have also assisted as necessary, said Stephenson.