Dec. 5, 2017

Spencer Merriweather used his first visit as Mecklenburg District Attorney to announce two new prosecution teams. He said the initiatives would be launched without additional resources.

• A violent crimes team will “handle robberies, felony assaults and felony shooting cases. These are the types of crimes that can shut an entire neighborhood down.
• A special victims team will sex assault, domestic violence, child abuse and child sex, and human trafficking cases. Merriweather said all these cases generally are not just about violence, but control. “The way you address those crimes is different than the way you address other crimes.

After WSOC ran an early-morning advance story on Merriweather’s planned announcements, the Forum room filled with media cameras. Afterward, WBTV and WCNC aired reports.

In the video below, Merriweather’s presentation begins at minute 7:20. The Q&A follows at minute 22:49.