Baldwin District Attorney Candidates

by Bill Riales

Published: Thu, November 05, 2009 - 9:34 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, November 05, 2009 - 9:45 pm CST

BAY MINETTE, Alabama - Some harsh criticism has been leveled at the Baldwin County District Attorney's office since the acquittal of Eric Buzby--charged with murder in the death of Spanish Fort service station owner Bobby Wilson. So far, two people have thrown their hats into the ring to challenge D.A. Judy Newcomb.

In three and a half years as District Attorney, Newcomb says she has made great strides for justice for the people of Baldwin County, despite the recent criticism.

"We have actually tried more cases in Baldwin County, than any other county in the state except Jefferson County which is much larger than us," says Newcomb.

She also points to a sole prosecutor for child sex cases, and getting federal grants to start a drug court, to prosecute more drug dealers. But there are two attorneys now running against Newcomb for the Republican nod next June.

One of them is Russell Watson who held a meet and greet in Silver Hill to talk with his supporters. He believes there should be more private involvement in the public office of district attorney.

"Do we really have the best and the brightest people," asks Watson. He believes prosecuting attorneys should be lured f rom private practice for a time to help with what he calls a backlog of cases in the D.A.'s office.

"To serve for 2,4, or 6 years and help the public with the prosecution of cases," he says.

Hallie Dixon, a former prosecutor for the D.A.'s office says she would make her priority seeking justice for victims of crime, and retaining top notch prosecutors.

"Victims won't have any doubt with me as their district attorney that they have a true advocate," says Dixon. "And then there's the whole other level of creating a work environment where people thrive. There are people, believe it or not, who go to law school, to be prosecutors."

They all have their eye on primary election day June 8th, 2010.

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