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Niagara Falls native Joseph
LaTona has high regard for DA
Frank Sedita
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Safeguard of Liberty: Erie
County DA Frank Sedita is
known to seek justice, not convictions,
and protect due
process rights, a cause of criticism
in some quarters.
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Balancing Act. Attorney Terry
Connors has praise for
Sedita's adherence to the concept
of justice for victims and
the accused. |
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Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita has his share of critics, but two of the area’s most highly respected defense attorneys, Terrence Connors and Joseph LaTona, spoke highly of the soon-to-be State Supreme Court judge who is expected to be cross-endorsed by the judicial nominating conventions later this week.
I contacted both Connors and LaTona to get their thoughts on Sedita who has served as district attorney for the last seven years, and they both agreed to speak on the record.
Connors said that while he has disagreed professionally with Sedita on a regular basis, “I cannot disagree with the fact that he has been an ethical, effective prosecutor. It is sadly ironic that he is criticized for not taking the ‘tough cases’ when he is statutorily, ethically and constitutionally mandated to pursue cases only where there is sufficient evidence.”
LaTona sounded the same theme, saying “people should realize [the DA] is vested with prosecutorial discretion, and I would rather have him not prosecute cases if in fact he has second thoughts of proving guilt.” LaTona said it is commendable for a prosecutor to show restraint when restraint is exactly what the evidence, or lack thereof, is called for.
LaTona said he has dealt with the Sedita family for many years, and said the current district attorney has always acted in a professional and responsible fashion. The Sedita family has long been prominent in local public service with the district attorney’s grandfather, Frank A. Sedita, serving as a three-term Buffalo mayor and his father, Frank A. Sedita Jr., serving as a Buffalo Housing Court judge and a State Supreme Court judge before reaching mandatory retirement age shortly before his death in June of 2013.
Perhaps Connors best summed up District Attorney Frank Sedita’s career as the county’s chief prosecutor, saying “he should be commended for not taking cases where the evidence is borderline. Reckless prosecutors ruin lives and take away reputations that can never be regained. Careful prosecutors preserve our constitution.”