Supports Allgood
As an assistant district attorney, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Forrest Allgood for the past six years. During that time I’ve tried dozens of cases, all of which Forrest has advised me, encouraged me and challenged me to not only do everything in my power to seek justice for victims, but to do right by the community of people for whom we serve. I think his method of leadership is why the people of this district have entrusted their safety to him for 26 years.
Since he was elected district attorney in 1989, Forrest has used the same slogan: “If you were the victim…”
I’ve had an opportunity to explain to people all over the district what that means to me not only as his assistant, but as a member of this community that I care about.
Every year this message gets more important and more meaningful. If you were the victim, you would want Forrest Allgood fighting for you. He has sat with thousands of victims as district attorney and explained the court system and how their specific case would proceed. He has gone into the courtroom thousands of times to be an advocate for those victims.
… Forrest’s opponent talks about being “tough, smart and fair.” No one in the state of Mississippi is tougher on violent crime than Forrest Allgood.
I invite you to visit the Re-Elect Forrest Allgood Facebook page and read through the articles of the dozens of violent offenders Forrest’s office has tried in the last four years alone — murderers, rapists, armed robbers and home invaders are serving hundreds of years in prison after being tried and convicted by a team of prosecutors with actual courtroom experience.
Forrest’s opponent has never picked a jury in a criminal trial in Circuit Court, much less fought for even a single victim at trial.
Perhaps the reason I am most proud to work for Forrest is his ability to be fair to the defendants we prosecute. First-time drug possessors — those that Forrest’s opponent calls non-violent offenders — don’t get sent to prison. Forrest uses the Pre-Trial Diversion Program to help these individuals get their lives back on track without a felony conviction. The program has been an overwhelming success since it was implemented and it will continue to be a resource Forrest uses moving forward.
I am proud to work for someone that has the integrity to stand up to violent offenders the way Forrest has done and the way he has encouraged me to do. … On Nov. 3, I will choose the candidate who has tried hundreds of cases in this district. I will choose what’s best for my family– experience over inexperience. On Nov. 3, I will choose Forrest.
Mark Jackson
Starkville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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