St. Louis Reporter

Mary Pat Carl, the Democratic primary challenger for St. Louis Circuit Attorney, says she wants to make trying criminals the focus of the top prosecutor’s office.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch endorsed Carl on Thursday for the August 4 election, saying the incumbent, Kim Gardner, has wasted taxpayer dollars chasing cases that have not helped combat the city’s crime rate.

Carl, who spent 15 years as a prosecutor in the Circuit Attorney’s office before joining a private law firm in 2017, told the St. Louis Reporter that she would work to promote cooperation among the police and the courts to help make the city safer for all residents.

“Last year 12 children were killed in St Louis. This year we have lost 11 children, and it’s only July,” Carl said. “I kept thinking about not only those grieving families, but also about kids returning to school next to empty desks. How can we expect kids to learn to read or complete science projects when they have experienced the trauma of gun violence? It’s time the lawyers, the police, and the courts all work together.”

Now a partner at Husch Blackwell specializing in government compliance and investigations, Carl noted that the city is on track to record more than 200 homicides this year.

“Witnesses and victims don’t trust our Criminal Justice system,” she said. “We have a history of redlining and disinvestment in Black communities. We need to address the root causes of crime. We need to invest and bring resources to underserved communities. We also need leadership that addresses the fact that people have a basic human need to feel safe in their homes and walking their children to the bus.”

If elected, Carl said she would introduce a plan to make St. Louis safer in her first 100 days.

“In order for people to trust a criminal justice system they must feel they have a voice in it,” said Carl, a mother of four. “I will go directly to communities that are the most impacted by crime and ensuring they have a seat at the table for policy decisions.”

Increasing transparency will be a priority.

“It’s time we fling open the doors, open the windows and let the light in on what goes on at the Circuit Attorney’s Office,” Carl said. “I will publish the ethical guidelines for police and be transparent with the process to hold them accountable. I will make decisions based on data and publish that information so that the public can decide for themselves if the Criminal Justice system is fair and free from bias. I will grow diversionary and restorative justice programs. I will be a leader inside the office by rebuilding the staff with experienced attorneys.”

Kim Gardner’s office “is shrouded in secrecy,” Carl said.

“She has refused to disclose to the public how her office has spent taxpayer dollars. A judge has ordered her to disclose the hidden expenses, but she has yet to comply. This week, her office was exposed for tampering with evidence. She’s been found guilty by the Missouri Ethics Commission of hiding almost $300,000 in political contributions.”

Gardner’s leadership failures have led to more than 70 attorneys leaving the office, including Gardner’s own hires, Carl said.

Meanwhile cases have fallen through the cracks — continued for months, been dropped or never filed, Carl said.

“When she does go to court, she loses almost half her cases,” Carl added. “This trial conviction rate means one of two things: either her attorneys have the evidence and don’t know how to present it to a jury, or they never had the evidence and they don’t know how to evaluate their cases.”

Allison Hawk, a spokesperson for Gardner, did not respond to a request for comment.

While further explaining how she would approach the job, Carl noted that most violent crime is committed by a relatively small number of people.

“It’s time we work together to identify the individuals that are driving the violence,” Carl said. “I will lead a unified strategy that will help those who want to put down their guns to become productive citizens. Those who continue to pick up guns to settle disputes will be held accountable. My initiative will bring prosecutors, the courts, the police, community members and social service providers to all work together and make St. Louis safer.”

Carl said her longtime work in the prosecutor’s office makes her the best choice for Circuit Attorney.

“I served as St. Louis’ lead homicide attorney and a prosecutor in the Circuit Attorney’s Office for 15 years,” Carl said. “I worked hard to earn the respect of my colleagues, be involved our community, and work productively with law enforcement. I’ve enjoyed being that voice in the courtroom, fighting for domestic violence victims, against child abusers, and putting murderers behind bars. I’ve worked thousands of cases, and I’ve never lost a homicide trial.

“For the last six years I’ve also been involved with the Youth and Family Center, just north of downtown. There I’ve supported programs that tackle the root causes of crime through after-school programs and support of the community. I’ve seen first-hand how intervening and supporting our youth can create positive outcomes,” she added.

Carl also described the philosophy she would bring to the office.

“For me, justice is not simply punishing those who commit crime, but engaging communities to define accountability and working with both victims, and those accused, to heal,” she said. “Community partnerships will help to build a safer St. Louis. I know, I’ve been a part of the progress, in fact, I won a Community Award from the Department of Justice for starting St. Louis’ Court Watch Program, which gets community activists inside the courtroom to ensure victims get the support they need.

“As Circuit Attorney, I’ll support programs that stop crime at its root, steering non-violent offenders to alternatives to incarceration like job training and educational opportunities, but I'll still make sure violent criminals are held responsible,” Carl said.

“I will hold police officers to the highest standards when enforcing the law,” she added. “And I will ensure no one is prosecuted because of they are poor, because of their sexual preference, or for the color of their skin. Every person in St. Louis deserves equal access to justice in our city.”