Howard County (Map, News) - Tim McCrone’s resignation as Howard County State’s Attorney was bittersweet.

“It’s been such an enormous privilege working in the State’s Attorney’s Office. I am going to miss them very much,” said McCrone, who was sworn in as a Circuit Court judge by Deputy Clerk of the Court Wayne Robey on Friday at the courthouse. “It’s a strong emotional connection.”

Howard Deputy State’s Attorney Dario Broccolino was appointed as the interim State’s Attorney on Friday.

McCrone’s first order of business will be to help select his permanent replacement with Circuit Judges Louis Becker, Richard Bernhardt and Lenore Gelfman, who the chairwoman of the selection committee.

McCrone’s State’s Attorney term ends January 2011.

Broccolino, a veteran prosecutor, was appointed deputy state’s attorney for Howard County in 1999 by former State’s Attorney Marna McLendon.

Prior to that, he served as state’s attorneys’ coordinator for Maryland and the executive director of the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association.

He also worked as an assistant state’s attorney in Baltimore City, serving under four state’s attorneys.

A notice was sent to Howard County Bar Association members announcing the vacancy and seeking letters of interest and resumes.

However, McCrone reportedly has thrown his support behind senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lara Weathersbee, according to a county government source.

“I am not denying that comment, but out of respect for the other judges and the process, now that I am sworn in, I am going to refrain from commenting any further,” McCrone said.

Weathersbee has head up the juvenile division since 2003 and has 12 years of experience in the office.

Judge Diane Leasure recused herself from the selection committee because she is up for a judgeship in the Court of Special Appeals, said Wayne Kirwan, spokesman for the State’s Attorney’s Office.

cpeirce@baltimoreexaminer.com