BY JOHN MCCANN

jmccann@heraldsun.com; 419-6601

DURHAM -- Some local political heavyweights were among those who stood on Friday when Durham County Sheriff's Deputy S.M. McGhee called to order the fifth-floor courtroom in the Durham County Judicial Building where a Durham native was the main attraction.

Born and raised in Durham, Jim Hardin Jr. was sworn in as Resident Superior Court judge by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson Jr.

Gov. Beverly Perdue in September appointed Hardin to replace now-retired Superior Court Judge A. Leon Stanback Jr.

Of course, Hardin already been on the job. In fact, Hardin was on the bench in the same courtroom Thursday when he sentenced a young man to prison for more than seven years for a 2008 shooting.

But Friday's court proceeding made everything official for Hardin, who took the oath of office with his hand placed on a well-worn family Bible held by his wife, Lori.

Before the oath, the Rev. Haywood Holderness prayed that Hardin would have the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Amos, the patience of Job and the compassion of Jesus Christ.

District Attorney Tracey Cline suggested the prayer for wisdom already was answered.

"I know he makes good decisions because he hired me," Cline said about Hardin.

Among those on hand were Mayor Bill Bell, state Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham, and state Sen. Floyd McKissick Jr., D-Durham. Durham County Sheriff Worth Hill was there, too, and Cline singled out courthouse gatekeeper Peggy Bullock, the judicial assistant to the Superior Court judges.

Hardin's mother, father and son were at the installation. His two daughters couldn't make it. Some of his childhood friends and college buddies were there, too.

Hardin, who earned his law degree at Mercer University in 1983, graduated from Duke University in 1979, where he also played football.

Hardin perhaps is best known for his prosecution of Michael Peterson, the Durham author and former Herald-Sun columnist who in October 2003 was convicted of killing his wife, Kathleen. The case garnered nationwide media coverage.

Early in his career, Hardin, 52, was a defense lawyer. Over time, he won election as Durham district attorney.

In 2005, Hardin was appointed a special Superior Court judge but in 2007 gave up the post to take over as Durham's interim district attorney after former District Attorney Mike Nifong was disbarred for his handling of the Duke lacrosse case.

When discussing his appointment with Perdue, Hardin said the governor told him she loves Durham and she's glad he's from Durham. They also talked judicial philosophy in terms of having compassion for victims and defendants alike.

"He's the most humble judge I know," Hudson said before swearing in Hardin. "Congratulations. Welcome back to Durham."

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