I have been extremely critical of the District Attorney's office since Janet was murdered. I do believe that retired Honorable Judge A. Leon Stanback, Jr. being named interim DA was extremely smart on behalf of Governor Beverly Perdue and I do believe he has restored integrity to the Durham County District Attorney's office and I would imagine that ADA Coggins-Franks has his full support.
The District Attorney was Jim Hardin on April 26, 2005. That was his last day as DA. Governor Mike Easley appointed Michael Nifong to be the interim DA and on April 27, 2005, Michael Nifong was sworn into office, which is the morning after Janet was murdered.
From that day forward the issues that office had had under his leadership were horrendous. Justice seemed to be halted. Michael Nifong spent so much time campaigning, I believe in the first week or so he walked into ADA Frieda Blacks' office and pretty much forced her to resign. I do believe that he knew she was going to run for DA's office and he decided he wanted to keep this position and he spent so much time campaigning and less time Prosecuting and I don't think he knew how to run that office.
I believe the primary's were in May of 2006 so he spent that entire first year working on getting reelected.
After DA Nifong lost his job and was subsequently disbarred Tracey Cline became the DA. I don't know exactly what the issues were but she inherited a large mountain of backed up cases, I am not sure if there was too much pressure, or what happened there. I do know there was some sort of issue between her and Judge Orlando Hudson and subsequently she lost her job. This was 7 years worth lack of progress. The Prosecutors on Janet's case changed hands several times. From Jim Dornfried, Tracey Cline, Angela Garcia-Lamarca, Theresa Pressley to Charlene Coggins-Franks and Luke Bumm. This case being a Circumstantial Evidence case, you need someone who is smart and willing to work hard and dedicate yourself to the case and I am grateful that we found that with this team, and I hope they are here to to stay, for all those that are looking for Justice in Durham.
I believe the next elections are in 2014 (not positive though) and I'm not sure if he will be running (I believe he was a retired Judge) so I hope that he runs.
Either way I believe that Judge Orlando Hudson was a fair and great Judge and I am proud of the way that Charlene Coggins-Franks and Luke Bumm handled the prosecution of Janet's case.
I hope they can get it done the next go around.