Prosecutor candidates face questioning from St. Louis County Council
The two people appointed to be St. Louis County's next chief prosecutor each went before the county council Tuesday night. The situation has put the county and state at odds and against one another. Ultimately, the county council voted against recommending County Executive Sam Page’s pick.
CLAYTON, Mo. – The two people appointed to be St. Louis County's next chief prosecutor each went before the county council Tuesday night amid an ongoing legal battle over who should fill outgoing prosecutor Wesley Bell’s seat. Bell was elected to congress last month.
District 7 Councilman Mark Harder tells FOX 2 the committee that met Tuesday made a unanimous recommendation for the council to vote against Cort VanOstran, the man appointed by St. Louis County Executive Sam Page.
Last week, Governor Mike Parson appointed Melissa Price Smith, a 16-year veteran of the county prosecutor’s office, to replace Bell.
Price Smith and VanOstran each had numerous opportunities to make their case to the council as to why they are the most qualified for the position.
Smith promised to address a backlog of cases and also repair what she described as damaged relationships with local law enforcement. Both said they are open to making changes if and when they take over the position.
On Wednesday, the county and state will be back in court before a judge for oral arguments in the case. Each side is arguing they have the constitutional right to appoint Bell’s replacement.
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