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OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

State Of North Carolina


Roger Echols Fourteenth Prosecutorial District TeL (919) 808-3010
District Attorney 510 S. Dillard Street, Eighth Floor Fax (919) 808-3034
Durham, North Carolina 27701

News Release

Date: March 12, 2018


Re: Comments Attacking ADA Ameshia Cooper
From: Durham County District Attorney Roger Echols

On August 14, 2017, Durham County found itself at the epicenter of a nationwide crisis involving race,
activism, and the criminal justice system. As the top law enforcement officer in the county, I was tasked
with prosecuting individuals who were accused of destroying county property on that day. Their cases,
like any other criminal case that takes place in Durham, were assigned to one of the 21 Assistant District
Attorneys who serve this county.
It has been reported that on March 8, 2018, District Court Judge Fred Battaglia referred to the assigned
ADA Ameshia Cooper, an African-American female attorney, as a "third string player." These comments
were inappropriate, unnecessary, and inaccurate. At a time when women, especially women of color, are
still marginalized, it is unfortunate that a member of the judiciary would refer to any woman with such
little regard. As a male, I will never experience the discrimination that women have to endure as they
fight for equality and recognition of their talents. However, as the elected District Attorney, my role is to
serve all citizens of Durham and to safeguard against such injustices.
Moreover, it was reported by several media outlets that, during a meeting with the GOP, Judge Battaglia
referred to Ameshia Cooper as "a lovely person with no experience." In response to this specific
comment, it is my privilege to correct the false narrative about ADA Cooper. Ms. Cooper has over five
years of legal experience, having served in various capacities with the Mecklenburg, Orange, and Durham
County District Attorney's Offices. ADA Cooper is a proud Durham native and a product of Durham
County Schools, who is passionate about serving her community. This passion is exemplified by both her
professional and civic engagements. Shortly after joining our office in 2015, she became the sole
prosecutor assigned to Juvenile Delinquency Court. In this role, ADA Cooper prosecuted major felonies,
including homicides, rapes, assaults, and armed robberies. Because of her abilities and understanding of
the law, she was promoted to Superior Court and assigned to the property division. She currently
prosecutes robberies, burglaries, breakings and entering offenses, and other complex crimes, including
fraud and identity theft. ADA Cooper is a professional, and she has earned an exceptional reputation
among the defense bar, the judiciary, and the community. I have unwavering confidence in her abilities.
Further, reports state that Judge Battaglia indicated that he saw "a young lady in there with no help." On
any given day, my office handles hundreds of cases. District attorneys across this country employ
assistant district attorneys to use their discretion in an effort to administer justice. As the elected District
Attorney, I am always available to provide support to the men and women in my office who prosecute
misdemeanors and felonies. Ms. Cooper, along with the other employees in my office who prosecute
murders, rapes, child abuse, assaults, and property crimes, are capable and competent. Any narrative that
implies that they are neglected if and when they need assistance is misleading and inaccurate.
As your elected District Attorney, Jam proud to work with Ms. Cooper and other prosecutors of various
ages, ethnicities, genders, socio-economic backgrounds, and sexual orientations. Under my leadership
and guidance, the prosecutors in my office, including Ms. Cooper, engage with victims of crime, serve on
various county boards, implement restorative justice diversionary pleas, support teen court, recommend
defendants for mental health court, and partner with the City of Durham to help hundreds of citizens to
restore their driver's licenses. We are all passionate about ensuring justice and equality for everyone in
the Durham community.
The role of the judiciary is to be fair, impartial and truthful. We vigorously seek justice in each case we
try; however, when that task is complete, the decision lies with the trier of fact. We always respect the
criminal justice process, even when we are disappointed in the outcome. Before rendering his verdict,
Judge Battaglia spoke highly of Ms. Cooper, saying, "This case was amply tried by both parties." One
can only hope that those words uttered prior to his verdict were genuine.

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