NASHVILLE (AP) - Seven candidates have applied to fill a vacancy on the state Court of Criminal Appeals created by Gov. Bill Haslam's appointment of Judge Jeffrey Bivins to the state Supreme Court.

The Governor's Commission for Judicial Appointments will chose three finalists for Haslam to choose from.

The applicants are Assistant District Attorney Leslie Anne Collum of Rutherford County, Circuit Judge Timothy Lee Easter of Williamson County, Circuit Judge Robert Lee Holloway Jr. of Maury County, District Public Defender Eric Nell of Montgomery County, Circuit Judge and Chancellor Larry B. Stanley Jr. of Warren County, Attorney Russell Fletcher Thomas of Davidson County and Circuit Judge Larry J. Wallace of Stewart County.

The panel will conduct interviews on June 10 at the Legislative Plaza in Nashville.