Prosecutor Who Quit Over Inflammatory Facebook Post Back at Work

Wayne County, MI — A former prosecutor is again working for Wayne County after resigning last year over an inflammatory Facebook post in response to Freddie Gray’s death in Baltimore police custody.

Maria Miller, a spokeswoman for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, told The Detroit News that Teana Walsh has been working on a contract basis for about a month and a half.

Days of tense protests and rioting broke out in Baltimore after the funeral for Gray, an African-American who died of a spinal injury while in police custody.

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Walsh, an eight-year veteran of the prosecutor’s office before her April 2015 resignation, posted on her Facebook page as the rioters were storming the streets of Baltimore that a “simple”solution would be for police to “shoot ‘em.”

“So I am watching the news in Baltimore and see large swarms of people throwing bricks, etc at police who are fleeing from their assaults ... 15 in the hospital already. Solution. Simple. Shoot em. Period. End of discussion. I don't care what causes the protestors [sic] to turn violent...what the ‘they did it because’ reason is...no way is this acceptable. Flipping disgusting.”

At the time, Miller said in a statement that the sentiments Walsh expressed in the post were “out of character.”

“Teana Walsh is known for her great work ethic and her compassion for victims of crime and their families. Her post was up on line briefly and she immediately took it down. (The post) ... certainly does not reflect the person that we know. Prosecutor Worthy is satisfied that the appropriate disciplinary action has been taken to address this matter.”

Walsh declined to comment to The Detroit News about her return.

“Her (Facebook) statements were biased and racist,” he said. “Her comments showed her mind, her heart and thoughts. We don’t need those types of people in office .... who elude peace and love and justice.”

However, local attorney and radio show host Cliff Woodards II, who shared Walsh’s Facebook last year, said Walsh is a “decent person” and “deserves a second chance.”

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