A Chilton County judge has been appointed to preside over the perjury case of suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Henderson.

Acting Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Lyn Stuart last week appointed Presiding Chilton County Circuit Judge Sibley G. Reynolds to preside over Henderson's case after judges in Jefferson County recused themselves from hearing the case.

Henderson, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent District Attorney Brandon Falls in the Nov. 8 election. Henderson got 148,906 votes, or 50.9 percent, and Falls 143,748, or 49.1 percent.

Henderson was to have taken office on Tuesday, but he was suspended after being indicted by a special grand jury on Jan. 13 on a charge of first-degree perjury - four days before he was to take office. The grand jury heard information presented by the Alabama Attorney General's Office.

The charge is related to Henderson's Sept. 26 testimony in a divorce case in which he formerly served as guardian ad litem to represent the interests of the separated couple's child. The perjury charge involves an allegation that he had a relationship with the mother of child and was biased against the father in that case.

Henderson has denied the charge. His attorneys have said the charge is politically motivated to keep the Democrat out of office.

Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr, who was to have served as Henderson's chief deputy, was appointed to serve as district attorney pro-tem while the perjury charge against Henderson is pending.