Roy Exum
What’s this? Shootings are rampant in America’s biggest cities but according to District Attorney Neal Pinkston, citing Chattanooga Police Department facts, they are down 60 percent for the first four months of this year versus the same time last year. “That’s because a lot of people are working really hard to keep Hamilton County safe.”
It is also because Pinkston has the best staff he’s had in the 19 years he has been in the district attorney’s office. Neal is running for a second term against a youthful Coty Wamp, who has never prosecuted a case in Hamilton County. The two are dueling in the Republican primary next Tuesday and, when pressed, Pinkston said if Wamp was working with his 27 prosecutors, she would be the second least experienced in his office.
“I think experience is vital. I’ve prosecuted over 40 homicide cases that have resulted in sentences totaling over 2,800 years in jail. I manage 27 prosecutors and a total staff of 60 people,” Pinkston explained. “I joined the office in 2003 so, while I am ending my eight-year term, I’ve actually been in the DA’s office for 19 years.”
While we were talking, word came the Silverdale jail was on ‘lock down’ “It’s pretty bad out there,” Neal acknowledged. “I have already spoken to the U.S. Attorney for this district and the civil rights division at the Justice Department so both are aware a formal request (for an investigation) is coming. Our office has taken some complaints, which we take very seriously.”
On Monday Pinkston said in a news release, “Right now, it appears that Silverdale is one of the most dangerous places to be in our county, and that is unacceptable. Individuals at Silverdale have the right to be protected, and that right should be taken very seriously by every member of our justice system. Therefore, I will formally request that the DOJ investigate the conditions and operation of Silverdale."
Pinkston, aware there is a national outcry over lax sentencing that puts criminals back on the street, shakes his head. “We don’t have any of that ‘woke’ nonsense. Our prosecutors ask for maximum sentencing. We have good judges in the county, too.”
Is there a big backlog in the courts? “Not really … the coronavirus was a problem for everybody but now the courthouse operates pretty smoothly. If there is a backlog we can handle it.”
Pinkston is proud of the fact his office has solved 31 ‘cold cases’ while he has been the district attorney but he estimates there are “about 200 cases” that have never been solved. “I am tremendously proud of our cold case team and our investigators. We are actively working on closing some more."
Is gang activity still a problem? “It’s hard to say because it is hard to define what a ‘gang’ is anymore. The Chattanooga Police Department has done a good job in the schools and Rob Philyaw is excellent in our Juvenile Court.”
So, the question the Republicans must answer next Tuesday is whether they want a DA with 19 years experience who runs one of the best departments in the local government and has prosecuted 40 murder trials, or choose a promising young lady who has never prosecuted a case in Hamilton County. Common sense says Hamilton County should stick with Neal Pinkston.
royexum@aol.com