Staff Writer

The new Democratic nominee for York County District Attorney said her goals include fostering a new domestic violence unit and implementing vertical prosecution.

Kathryn Slattery of Old Orchard Beach will be the next district attorney barring a successful write-in campaign. There is no Republican or Independent candidate on the ballot.

“It is my goal to solidify the York County District Attorney’s position of prominence throughout the state as a leader in both victims’ issues and prosecutorial policies,” she said.

Slattery was nominated by current District Attorney Mark Lawrence during a special York County Democratic Committee meeting July 22 at Alfred Parish Church. Lawrence said he decided earlier this month to withdraw from the race to spend more time with his family and pursue job opportunities in the private sector.

Lawrence said Slattery “is someone of great integrity” and is a “tremendous prosecutor.”  

“Being district attorney is a tough job. You have to make a lot of difficult decisions,” he said. “It takes someone who has a firm hand on the steering wheel.”

Slattery, who has been with the district attorney’s office for 23 years, including 19 as deputy district attorney, said she has been preparing for this role for her entire career.

“It’s really something I’ve always been interested in. This seems like the right time,” she said. “I feel I can really hit the ground running and bring a lot of energy to the job.”

Slattery said her goals as district attorney include fostering the domestic violence unit implemented by Lawrence.

“I envision a greatly strengthened unit able to address the more serious and complex cases which, generally, are not within the parameters of our current structure, in addition to the cases which the DV unit currently handles,” she wrote in a list of goals provided at the meeting.

Slattery said she also wants to eventually institute a system of vertical prosecution where a case is assigned to a single prosecutor as it makes its way through the court system to provide more stability and efficiency. A review of all policies and procedures also is needed in all district and superior court offices to increase efficiency, she said.

 Slattery, a graduate of Boston College and University of Maine School of Law, was hired as assistant district attorney in 1987 and assigned to Biddeford District Court. She was named deputy district attorney in 1991. She spent 12 years working for Democrat Michael Cantara and the past seven years working for Lawrence. She also served as interim district attorney from January to April 2003.

During the meeting, Lawrence and Slattery both highlighted some of her accomplishments during the past 23 years. Lawrence said Slattery was the first to successfully prosecute a corporation for vehicular manslaughter. That case, State v. East Coast Steel, was the result of an accident in Wells that killed a motorist on his way home from work.

Slattery also prosecuted State v. David Fleming, the first case in Maine in which DNA evidence was admitted to support a conviction. Fleming, a serial rapist, received an 80-year sentence for kidnapping, sexual assault and the attempted murder of a young girl from York. His conviction was upheld on appeal.

Slattery was recognized in 2008 by the United States Department of Justice for outstanding service on behalf of crime victims.

Slattery said her experience with both courtroom and administrative duties have prepared her for the job of district attorney. She has worked in the Biddeford, Springvale and York district courts and handled every type of criminal, civil and juvenile matter brought to those courts. She also has worked with both district and superior courts to resolve procedural and administrative issues, and to maintain a good relationship between the courts and the district attorney’s office, she said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.