D.A. Robert Hecht to Seek 3rd Term

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Posted: 10:36 PM Mar 27, 2008
Last Updated: 10:36 PM Mar 27, 2008
Reporter: Brian Dorman
Email Address: brian.dorman@wibw.com

4 comments

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Shawnee County District Attorney Robert Hecht makes the announcement Thursday morning about his future in the legal world saying he will be seeking a 3rd term as District Attorney.

The 73-year-old prosecutor started his first term as Shawnee County D.A. back in January of 2001.

Hecht says he looks forward to continuing his service and is pleased with his second term in which his office tried 55 homicides and over 1,800 domestic violent cases. He says people of all professions have been tried and that if you break the law expect to be prosecuted.

"I have no agenda, I do not seek a higher political office and I find being D.A. is most satisfying and a great honor," Hecht said at a press conference in his office Thursday.

Republican Prosecutor Eric Rucker has begun setting up funds but has not made an official announcement if he will run.

Democrat Chad Taylor has declared he will face Hecht for the position.

Democrat Jerry Berger has also filled paper-work to run against Hecht.

"I am rather surprised at Mr. Hecht's decision to seek a third term. It in no way effects my decision to run for that office as I believe Shawnee County needs a change and a District Attorney who can unite the different agencies and the community to better help fight crime more effectively," Berger said in reaction to Hecht's announcement to run for a 3rd term.

2nd Term Cases:

55 Homicide Cases
178 Sex Offense Cases
891 Robbery/Burglary Cases
321 Aggravated Battery Cases
304 Aggravated Assault Cases
591 Assault and Battery Cases
1,867 Domestic Violence Cases
410 Felony DUI Cases
918 DUI Cases
1,837 Juvenile Offender Cases
1,659 Child in Need of Care Cases

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Bob Location: Topeka on Mar 28, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Hect has not done anything to make our city any safer. He has sent plenty of innocent people to jail. What would he do with another term? Vote this old coot out of office. Let's get some new blood in there. Lets clean Topeka up the right way. Start with the Topeka Police Department. Then the city council. Flush out the real criminals and we can have a great city! Get rid of Hect!

Posted by: regina on Mar 28, 2008 at 12:33 PM
...and, my surprise is at Berger...former owner of Babydolls, etc...the last thing we need in DA's office is someone with that background. BabyDolls and his other establishments have been the scene of any number of shootings, stabbings, sexual assaults, drug trafficking...it brought in a criminal element to this community as well as distain and objectification of women.

Posted by: Headhunter Hecht Location: Topeka on Mar 27, 2008 at 04:47 PM
We need someone else in this office then Headhunter Hecht. He is more interested in his side agenda and getting to everyone in the courthouse that he feels has wronged him or his daughter. His conviction record might be good but that it kudos to his staff and not to him. VOTE OUT HECHT!!!!!

Posted by: Regina Location: Topeka on Mar 27, 2008 at 02:33 PM
....well, I am rather surprised that the man who brought the sex industry to Topeka would think Topekan's would vote for him to be our district attorney. Give me a break!

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