ST. LOUIS — Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Friday named Gabe Gore, a former assistant U.S. attorney, as the new chief prosecutor in St. Louis, three days after Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's sudden departure.
Gore is a partner in the St. Louis law firm Dowd Bennett and previously worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office in St. Louis. Black clergy and others had urged Parson to appoint a black person to the role, and Gore is black.
Parson and Gore were joined at the announcement by Democratic Mayor Tishaura Jones, Police Chief Robert Tracy and others. He said there was a “unified front” behind the new appointment, which runs through 2024. “We must return stability and the rule of law to this office,” Parson said.
Gore said he comes into the office with two priorities: Building back the depleted staff that has seen massive turnover of assistant prosecutors in recent months, often forcing delays in court hearings; and building relationships with the community, police and others. A statement from the 22nd Judicial Circuit said judges are committed to working with Gore and hope for a “renewed focus on public safety and the fair administration of justice in the City of St. Louis.”
Gardner was part of a movement of radically left prosecutors who went on the attack against police. At one point, she announced an "exclusion list" of city police officers prohibited from bringing cases to her office.
A pivotal turning point came in February after 17 year old Janae Edmondson, a volleyball standout from Tennessee, was struck by a speeding car after a tournament game in downtown St. Louis. She lost both legs. The driver, 21-year-old Daniel Riley, was out on bond on a robbery charge despite nearly 100 bond violations including letting his GPS monitor die and breaking the terms of his house arrest. Critics questioned why Riley was free despite so many bond violations. Even Mayor Jones, also a Democrat, questioned if Gardner should remain in office.
Administrator
.png)
Webster
