JOHN W. SINQUEFIELD RECEIVES THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION’S “HOME RUN HITTERS” AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
ALEXANDRIA, VA – July 29, 2005 – John W. Sinquefield, First Assistant District Attorney for Louisiana’s 19th Judicial District, was the recipient of the National District Attorneys Association’s (NDAA) “Home Run Hitters Award” of excellence at its Summer Conference and Board of Directors meeting last week. He was presented with an engraved, authentic, Louisville Slugger baseball bat for his prosecution of Derrick Todd Lee. This award is given in recognition of prosecutorial excellence.
From 2001 to 2003, the residents of Baton Rouge, LA were terrorized by a serial killer. Women were being brutalized, raped, and murdered. Guns were flying off the shelves of stores – purchased by people who were preparing to defend themselves if confronted by this ruthless killer. By the time the killing spree ended, the killer had led police, investigators, profilers and other law enforcement officials on a long and tortuous chase. Finally, through DNA evidence, Derrick Todd Lee was arrested. Mr. Lee had savagely killed at least six women (Charlotte Pace, Gina Green, Trineisha Colomb, Pan Kinamore, Carrie Yoder and Randi Mebruer) in the Baton Rouge area.
Mr. Lee was tried in October 2004 and Mr. Sinquefield led the prosecution team, aided by Dana Cummings. Mr. Lee’s DNA was linked to all six of the murders. A police DNA expert took the stand at trial and indicated that Lee’s genetic profile was very rare. She said that there was a “one in 3.6 quadrillion (or 1 trillion) chance that this DNA would match any other person.” There was also a survivor of a brutal attack by Mr. Lee, Diane Alexander, who could identify him. Her testimony together with the forensic evidence had a tremendous impact on the jury. After approximately 80 minutes of deliberation, the jurors found Lee guilty of first degree-murder. In December 2004, Lee was formally sentenced to death.
Mr. Sinquefield is nationally recognized by his peers as a no-nonsense prosecutor whose quest for justice is unparalleled. He is a highly qualified prosecutor who will not rest until he seeks, and obtains, justice for crime victims and their families. He also believes that criminals should be held fully accountable for their actions – that the punishment should fit the crime. This was a horrendous case and trial where, because of the skill of Mr. Sinquefield and his team, justice prevailed. According to Thomas J. Charron, Executive Director of NDAA, “When the award was presented to John he typically took little credit for himself, but praised his Assistant, Dana Cummings, and others who worked diligently with him in prosecuting Derrick Todd Lee. John’s dedication to prosecutorial excellence and community service is a model for all prosecutors.”
The NDAA represents approximately 30,000 prosecutors. About 95% of all cases are tried by state and local prosecutors. John Sinquefield is a past vice president and current member of NDAA’s board of directors.
CONTACT: Velva M. Walter
Director Media Relations for NDAA
703-519-1689 – Email: velva.walter@ndaa-apri.org
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