Oct 24, 2023 5 min read

Washington County voters will have a choice to make in the district attorney’s race for the upcoming Nov. 7 general election.

Jason Walsh, a Republican who was elevated to district attorney in August 2021 following the death of incumbent Eugene Vittone, is being challenged by Democrat Christina DeMarco-Breeden. The winner will serve in office for the next four years.

The Observer-Reporter asked each candidate to provide emailed responses to two questions.

Question 1: What role do you believe the district attorney should play in reducing crime in Washington County and what concerns you the most looking into the future?

Question 2: What role does the death penalty play in criminal homicide cases and how would you approach pursuing capital punishment moving forward?

Their responses, along with biographical information about each candidate, are below. They are in order of how they will appear on the ballot.

Christina DeMarco-BreedenParty: Democratic

Age: 37

Residence: Washington

Occupation: Somerset County Deputy District Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem in Washington County

I think the DA plays a pivotal role in reducing crime, and there are several ways to approach it. First, we need to continue utilizing the specialty courts in Washington County (drug, mental health, and veterans courts) and explore adding others. Second, we, along with other agencies, need to get out in the schools and interact with the students. Kids need to have activities available to them year-round, and I would collaborate with those agencies to use all eligible resources to sponsor community-based prevention programs, including after school programs and summer camps. More and more juveniles are being caught with guns and hard drugs, and we need to give them options so they don’t turn to the streets. Third, we need to ensure our police and first responders have the best training and equipment available to them so they can do their jobs even better than they already do. I will support them in every way that I can.

The death penalty is to be reserved for the most heinous first-degree murder cases, yet there are 12 pending capital cases in Washington County, by far the highest statewide. While I’m not against the death penalty, I find that number incredibly high, especially when there are a few cases where the cause or manner of death is unknown or the defendant can’t be placed at the crime scene. If the DA is unsure if the case rises to the level of a first-degree murder, plus at least one aggravating circumstance, the death penalty can’t ethically be sought. Each pending case needs to be thoroughly reviewed to determine if it’s a true capital case. Moving forward, I’ll be personally involved in all pending homicide cases and determine how my office should proceed, including whether to make the important, costly decision of pursuing the death penalty. The decision can’t be clouded by emotion or for political or personal gain.

Jason Walsh

Party: Republican

Age: 50

Residence: Carroll Township

Occupation: Washington County District Attorney

The District Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer of the County, and with that great responsibility comes a major role in the reduction of crime in Washington County. My number one priority is safety of the citizens of Washington County and our first responders who serve with distinction every day. To reduce crime, a District Attorney must know when to wield a sword and when to show compassion and offer diversionary opportunities. My office aggressively prosecutes violent crimes and drug trafficking. We also participate in all the diversionary programs in the court systems. As District Attorney, I personally prosecute homicides and major violent felonies. Aggressive prosecution by my office has reduced the number of homicides in the County. In 2021/2022, there were 16 homicides filed. To date, only two homicides have been filed in 2023. My concerns for the future are the rise in violent crime amongst juvenile offenders.

The most difficult and solemn decision a DA makes involves filing a notice to pursue the death penalty. Under the law, a prosecutor must timely file such notice or it is waived. This is not a political decision, nor one I take lightly. As District Attorney, I have made it no secret that the protection of our most valuable assets, our children, is a top priority for my administration. I have pursued the death penalty mainly in cases that involved the torture and/or intentional killing of babies. As the chief law enforcement officers of the County, I work hard to ensure that the law is applied fairly, based on the horrific facts and circumstances of each case. The death penalty is the law and the law proscribes what factors are needed to be eligible for it. The chief law enforcement officer must follow the law.