Two former judges and a former U.S. senator have been named to investigate the disappearance of state Highway Patrol records pertaining to then Gov. Mike Easley's travels in 2005.

N.C. Crime Control Secretary Reuben Young said today that Willis Whichard, a former state Supreme Court justice and former Campbell University law school dean; Robert Morgan, a former U.S. senator, former SBI director and former state attorney general; and Ralph Walker, a former superior and court of appeals judge and former director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, will conduct the probe, reports Dan Kane.

"Governor Perdue and I are determined to do everything in our power to find the answers regarding the 2005 records," Young said in a statement. "These three are dedicated public servants and have a history of impartiality and fairness."

The missing records are part of wide-ranging state and federal investigations into perks provided to Easley and his family. The patrol's records have helped show that Easley received free air travel from fundraisers whom he appointed to important positions in state government.

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A new administrative director has been named for the state court system — Special Superior Court Judge John W. Smith.

Smith replaces Judge Ralph A. Walker, who retires on New Year's Eve, Dan Kane reports.

As director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, Smith will oversee administrative services for the state's unified court system. Gov. Mike Easley appointed him a special Superior Court judge in 2001 to work out of Wilmington. Smith has also been a district court judge, certified juvenile court judge, chief district court judge and an assistant district attorney in North Carolina.

"Judge Smith has served with excellency and dedication to the North Carolina court system," said state Supreme Court Chief Justice Sarah Parker in a statement. She made the appointment. "He brings enormous commitment to the administration of justice both within the judicial branch and to the citizens of the state."

The position pays $126,738 annually.