Greensboro -  

    Former Hale County Circuit Clerk Gay Nell Tinker, who has been charged with voter fraud, has been appointed to serve as Greensboro's municipal court magistrate.

    Greensboro Mayor Johnnie B. Washington appointed the 52-year-old Tinker last week to replace Court Clerk Marjorie Davis, who retired.

    Tinker will be paid $24,000 a year in the post, whose duties include issuing arrest warrants.

    Tinker was arrested in March 2008 on 13 charges that stemmed from a probe into absentee voting fraud in Greensboro by the Alabama Attorney General's Office. She was released on $13,000 bail and pleaded not guilty. Her trial is planned for Aug. 10.

    A message left for Tinker was not immediatelty returned Wednesday, but Washington said he factored the charges into his decision.

    "I kept going over it and over it and over it," Washington said. "Knowing the climate around here, I figured some people would have a few comments, but that would be it really. In this country, you're innocent until proven guilty. And not all charges are true charges."

    According to the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, the charges do not prohibit her from serving as magistrate. But Eric Locke, a staff attorney for the Office of Courts, said Tinker would have to give up her position if she is found guilty.

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