Thomas E. McHugh, a retired state Supreme Court justice and former Kanawha County circuit judge, is expected to fill in for Supreme Court Justice Joseph Albright for the remainder of the court's fall term.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard was expected to announce this morning that he has temporarily appointed McHugh to the court, sources said Wednesday.

The vacancy was created Tuesday, when Albright recused himself for the remainder of the fall term for health reasons. Albright has been a patient at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center since late July, where he is undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer.

McHugh served on the high court from 1981 to 1998. He authored more than 700 opinions and served as the court's chief justice four times.

Thomas E. McHugh, a retired state Supreme Court justice and former Kanawha County circuit judge, is expected to fill in for Supreme Court Justice Joseph Albright for the remainder of the court's fall term.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard was expected to announce this morning that he has temporarily appointed McHugh to the court, sources said Wednesday.

The vacancy was created Tuesday, when Albright recused himself for the remainder of the fall term for health reasons. Albright has been a patient at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center since late July, where he is undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer.

McHugh served on the high court from 1981 to 1998. He authored more than 700 opinions and served as the court's chief justice four times.