Jessica Marie Purcell v. Clay Johnson Clay Johnson in his capacity as Council Appointee to the Chariho Regional…

Summary

The Court held that the General Assembly expressly ratified the entire Richmond Home Rule Charter, including its provision requiring appointment of the highest unelected vote-getter to fill a school-committee vacancy. Because that provision conflicts with the Chariho Act's discretionary vacancy procedure and is more specific, the Charter controls. Johnson was ousted and Purcell was declared legally entitled to the seat.