Montco DA Kevin Steele Named Head Of PA District Attorneys Assoc.

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele has been named the head of a statewide group of prosecutors, following the death of the former president and Washington County DA Gene Vittone.

Steele, who has spent nearly 30 years as a prosecutor, was praised by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association for his team's handling of the opioid crisis, domestic violence, illegal firearms.

“Certainly, this is not a change anyone thought we would be making, but this leadership team is committed to continue innovating and ensuring integrity in the criminal justice system, just as Gene would have wanted,” Steele said in a statement. “We will honor his memory by continuing to forge a path that seeks justice, protectsvictims and makes improvements to the system to ensure fairness and safe communities.”

Steele had been the vice president of the Association before Vittone's passing, and will serve out the 2021-22 term.

The Association, founded in 1912, aims to provide "uniformity and efficiency" across the state's 67 district attorneys. As an advocacy group, they often voice support for certain legislation, and back and coordinate initiatives launched by prosecutors statewide.