Topeka ? Thirteen candidates, including two from Lawrence, have applied to fill a vacancy on the Kansas Supreme Court that was created by the death of Justice Robert Gernon.

Douglas County District Judge Robert Fairchild and attorney Martha Coffman are the two Lawrence residents whose names have been submitted to the Supreme Court Nominating Commission.

The commission will review the applications and conduct interviews May 23-24. Shortly after, the commission will submit a list of three names to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for her to chose from.

Fairchild recently presided over the trial of Thomas Murray, the former Kansas State University professor who was convicted of the brutal murder of his ex-wife, Carmin Ross.

Others applying for the vacancy include Judges Richard Anderson, of Topeka; Steve Leben, of Fairway; Thomas Malone, of Wichita; Cordell Meeks Jr., of Kansas City; and Eric Rosen of Topeka.

Other attorneys applying for the job are Ricky Bailey, of Wichita; Arthur Chalmers, of Wichita; Henry Reid Cox, of Shawnee; Kirk Lowry, of Topeka; David Smith, of Fairway; and Jackie Neil Williams, of Wichita.

Gernon, of Lawrence, 61, died March 30 from complications of cancer.