DA Martin to seek re-election

Kevin Amerman (THE MORNING CALL) | November 18, 2010

Citing a 98 percent conviction rate over the past two years, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced Thursday he’s seeking — and deserves — a fourth elected term.

While touting his past, Martin also announced initiatives for the near future that he says would improve intelligence-sharing among local police forces, clamp down on Internet crimes and better combat gang crime.

“I believe that my leadership has been effective and the office of district attorney has compiled an outstanding record during my tenure,” Martin said, as attorneys, many of whom work for him, munched on sandwiches and drank iced tea during the noon announcement at the Lehigh County Bar Association in Allentown.

The 65-year-old Republican said his office prosecuted 15,800 adult cases from 2007 through 2009 and 98 percent of them resulted in a conviction. He said over his 13 years as DA, 155 of the 161 defendants charged with homicide were convicted, giving the office a 96 percent conviction rate in that category.

More at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/elections/mc-jim-martin-election-20101118,0,1267160.story

Image: Kellie Manier, TMC / November 18, 2010