New Durham DA David Saacks
DURHAM, N.C. -- Durham County now has a new district attorney.
Governor Easley named prosecutor David Saacks as the new DA to replace disbarred Mike Nifong. A judge swore Saacks in Friday morning.
“I was asked to serve and hold this position until the election next year and that's what I intend to do,” Saacks said at a news conference on Friday. “I made a commitment to both Jim [Hardin], to Governor Easley and I’m making the commitment to everyone else out there. I am here until the election is held. It's been rather well publicized that I don't live in Durham County. I am ineligible to run for this seat and I do not intent to run for this seat. I am here to serve, to keep this courthouse running, to keep this office running and to keep doing what we do as just outlined by Judge Hardin for the next year. And I will be here until the people of Durham County elect who they want to be their district attorney and that person comes and gets sworn in, then I will step aside."
Saacks is no stranger to the office. He began in 1992 in an unpaid position and most recently served as chief assistant district attorney.
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These years as prosecutor have gained him much respect in the legal community.
"He's very tenacious in the courtroom and an excellent trial lawyer," said Fred Battali, a defense attorney.
"He is a person who understands the job of a prosecutor to see that justice is done, not to obtain a conviction all the time," said Superior Court Judge A. Leon Stanback.
Saacks said being DA longterm is not his goal.
"I'd just as soon be in the courtroom dealing with the cases, and dealing with the law and dealing with the judges and dealing with my evidence but I will do this until that time comes again," said Saacks.
Governor Easley named Saacks to replace Jim Hardin, who stepped in when Mike Nifong resigned. Hardin said he found a DA's office that, amid controversy, was continuing its work under senior leadership, including Saacks.
"He gets along well with everyone he deals with and he has a way of empathizing and sympathizing with folks who need that," said Jim Hardin, former Durham District Attorney.
The Durham community hopes Saacks is just one more step ahead.
"We in the legal community need to go forward to bring integrity back to the system," said Battali.
"I want us to do our job and do the right thing each and every time in each and every case. If that happens, the community will be with us because that's who we're working for," said Saacks.
Jim Hardin was also sworn in as judge and will head back to the special Superior Court bench.