Monday, Gov. Don Siegelman appointed a new district attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit, which includes Coffee and Pike counties.

Judge Gary McAliley will serve the remaining two-year term vacated by Mark Fuller. The appointment became necessary after Fuller became Alabama's newest Federal Judge.

McAliley became Circuit Judge back in the mid-1980s. The judge plans to audit office expenditures. And, McAliley said there will be some changes in personnel and office procedures.

Shortly after the first of the year, Siegelman's office is expected to name McAliley's replacement on the Circuit Court bench.

Fuller said he has left the district attorney's office in sound financial condition, and comments made to the contrary are politically motivated.