DeSoto supervisors amend budget to give DA an additional prosecutor
According to DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton (at microphone), his office is preparing to deliver more than 450 indictments, a total that would set a record for the county and the state. (Courtesy DeSoto County District Attorney’s office)
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors voted Monday, June 17, to amend its 2024 fiscal budget, adding funds for the district attorney’s office to hire an additional prosecutor.
This split vote means the DeSoto County prosecutor’s office will employ seven assistant district attorneys as — according to District Attorney Matthew Barton — the office prepares to deliver more than 450 indictments to the grand jury, a total that would set a record for the county as well as the state, Barton said.
“To reach the staffing levels needed to perform our duties and ensure public safety, additional funding is essential,” the lead prosecutor said.
The vote came in at 3-2 with supervisors Mark Gardner, Ray Denison and Robert Foster voting in favor, while Lee Caldwell and Jessie Medlin opposed the amendment.
“Anything that we can do when the DA or the sheriff asks that will help fight crime, that’s what I’m willing to do,” Gardner said on Tuesday.
The new assistant district attorney will earn $120,000 annually.
“Sometimes we can afford to do certain things, and sometimes we can’t,” Gardner said. “In this case, the DA was asking for more help, so I wanted to honor that.”
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DeSoto County DeSoto County Board of Supervisors Mark Gardner Jessie Medlin Matthew Barton DeSoto County District Attorney Subscriber OnlyThank you for supporting local journalism.
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Rob Moore
Rob Moore covers North Mississippi for The Daily Memphian. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in English from The University of Memphis.
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