McFarland lawsuit is tossed 

A judge has stepped in the way of Tom McFarland’s wish to become a judge — at least for now.

On Tuesday, Senior Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood dismissed the former Roane County Attorney’s lawsuit trying to overturn Mike Pemberton’s successful election in a close race for 9th Judicial District circuit court judge in the Aug. 7 election.

McFarland contends Pemberton didn’t meet the one-year residency requirement to run for judge and wanted the election results voided.