BEAUFORT, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford has not appointed anyone to replace the retiring lead prosecutor of the state's only five-county judicial circuit, and officials here say that is leaving law enforcement in limbo.

Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh, 66, announced in October that he would retire on Dec. 31.

Sanford's spokesman Joel Sawyer said an interim replacement, who would serve until the November general election, likely won't be appointed until after Christmas.

"Right now we're consumed with the budget process," Sawyer said this week.

The solicitor serves as lead prosecutor for Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.

Murdaugh said the delay is impeding the processes of turning over key cases, including a capital murder case set to go to trial in February.

"There's no problem, unless you want to see the office run properly," Murdaugh said.

Murdaugh said he has been planning court schedules and grand jury hearings for next year, even though he will not be in charge, and he does not even know if the solicitor's office will continue to operate out of Hampton County.

"The prosecutor's office directly relates to the safety of our community," Beaufort County Deputy Solicitor Duffie Stone said.

The five sheriffs in the circuit have recommended to the governor that he select Stone for the position.

Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner said he hopes Sanford selects someone soon.

"It kind of leaves law enforcement in limbo," he said.

Murdaugh said he is particularly concerned about handing off the trial of Samantha Morgan-Major, who faces charges of murder, armed robbery and kidnapping in the 2004 killing of Brett Kinney.

"If we don't know who the solicitor is, we don't know who's going to try it," Murdaugh said.

The solicitor typically prosecutes death penalty cases personally.

"Whoever it is, they're going to have a lot of work to do," said Murdaugh, who has served as solicitor since 1987.

Murdaugh's retirement ends his family's legacy of leading the office for the past 85 years. Murdaugh's father, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh, was solicitor in the circuit for 48 years, making him the longest-serving prosecutor in the United States at the time. His father, Randolph Murdaugh Sr., held the position from 1920 until his death in 1940.