FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Bar Association of the 32nd Judicial District has nominated two Statesville attorneys to serve as the district’s first chief public defender.

During a 90-minute meeting on Thursday, attorneys who live and practice in Iredell and Alexander counties voted to nominate Seth Johnson and Sam Winthrop for the position.

Both nominees vowed to hire and lead a staff devoted to providing a zealous defense for their clients. They also committed to working to hire a diverse staff and to personally handle cases.

Johnson, who has 18 years of experience in criminal defense work, said it is an honor to help defend those charged with crimes. He has been on the court-appointed attorneys list for serious felonies and capital cases. 

“That is an incredibly important job,” he said. “It’s the only way the system works.”

Winthrop, who has worked as an attorney since 1989,  also stressed the importance of the work and touted his work representing indigent clients in state and federal courts. 

Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Joseph Crosswhite will consider the bar’s nominations as well as a third nomination from Indigent Defense Services when making a final selection. He plans to announce his decision in early January after discussing the nominations with other sitting judges in the district.

The creation of the Public Defenders Office for Iredell and Alexander counties was approved and funded by the N.C. General Assembly earlier this year. The chief public defender is scheduled to begin work around February 1 and then hire a staff of 12 assistant public defenders and support staff.

The office will represent individuals charged with a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Five members of the local bar were nominated by their peers for the office of chief public defender. After each nominee gave a short speech on Thursday, 104 attorneys cast ballots.

Johnson received 45 votes and Winthrop received 30 votes, according to Bar Association President Kaleigh Darty. The other nominees were Kevin Beale, Alex Mendaloff and Patricia Riddick.