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	DA's Debate Gets Hot By Gerry Tuoti Taunton Gazette June 9, 2006 http://www.tauntongazette.com/site/news.cfm?newsid= 16762810&BRD=1711&PAG=461&dept_id=24232&rfi=6 Attleboro - The gloves came off Thursday night when District Attorney Paul F. Walsh Jr. and his former assistant, C. Samuel Sutter, faced off in the first Bristol County DA's debate in 16 years. During the debate, held at Attleboro City Hall, the incumbent often fell back on his experience, while Sutter stressed the need for change. "In the last 16 years, I've seen gun violence, gang membership and unsolved murders rise," said Sutter, who left his job as assistant district attorney in 1999 to pursue a private law practice. Among the topics addressed was incumbent Walsh's handling of a case involving a retired Taunton police officer accused of molesting a child. In 2004, Officer David Smith admitted to his therapist that he repeatedly sexually abused a 9-year-old girl. He was placed on probation in a plea-bargain, never went to trial and does not have to registerBristol County Agricultural High School as a sex offender. "The way the Smith case was handled is an outrage," said Sutter, Walsh's first opponent in 16 years. Walsh explained his actions in the case. "I'm not happy with it, but what's popular is not always good, and what's good is not always popular," he said. "I'll take the heat on this case. "We decided not to go forward with the case based on the recommendation of a psychotherapist who said the girl couldn't survive the trial. It would be too damaging to her," Walsh said. "She also recanted her story." Smith did six months, lost his job and has to pay $75,000 to $100,000 in child support, Walsh said. Sutter criticized Walsh for not being able to get witnesses to testify in various cases. "He is unable to convince witnesses of two important matters: one, that they'll be protected, and two, that he'll win their case," Sutter said of Walsh. He criticized Walsh for the 19 unsolved murders in New Bedford since 2001, but Walsh defended his record. "I lose sleep over these," Walsh said. "But we have solved two of every three cases in New Bedford. That's 43 cases." "Since 1990, there have been 245 homicide cases in Bristol County, and 211 have been solved - that's 83 percent," Walsh continued. "They've been solved using the tactics and positions we've used every day of the week in the DA's office." Walsh also addressed Sutter's claims that the district attorney's office has abandoned the use of state wiretaps. "The newest idea you have is from 1986," he told Sutter. "Back in the 1980s, criminals didn't have cell phones. We use pen register tracks and traces and triangulation." Walsh said federal agencies, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI provide a lot of this support. He said working with federal investigators also helps alleviate some of the budget constraints local police departments must face. Pointing to some of his career highlights, Walsh mentioned the cases of James Porter, the first priest convicted and imprisoned in the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal; James Kater, the longest-running murder case in the state's history; and Attleboro religious cult leader Jacques Robidoux, who was convicted of starving his baby to death. "I've been places Mr. Sutter does not want to go," Walsh said. Toward the end of the debate the candidates took a number of personal shots at each other. Walsh accused Sutter of only becoming involved in civic activities to win votes, a charge Sutter vehemently denied. Sutter accused Walsh of being inaccessible. "People are not going to have to picket outside my office to get a meeting with me," he said. Walsh said Sutter frequently only told "half the story." Walsh said he could admit, and learn from, mistakes. "I've made a barrel full of them," he said. Sutter challenged Walsh to a July debate in Taunton, but Walsh has not yet agreed. The two are scheduled to meet again in an Aug. 30 debate in Fall River. Sutter and Walsh will face off in the Sept. 19 in the Democratic primary. gtuoti@tauntongazette.com
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