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Kennedy's gang plan dominates debate: Brizzi blasts Democrat's proposal
10/12/2006
By Jon Murray
The Indianapolis Star
Melina Kennedy's proposal to fight gangs dominated a debate between the Marion County prosecutor candidates Wednesday night, with Carl Brizzi's attacks putting his Democratic challenger on the defensive.
Kennedy said she would target gang leaders and hire an executive staff member to plot strategy. But this week, Brizzi, the Republican incumbent, has focused on another part of the plan that offers amnesty to "fringe" members who renounce their ties in writing and turn in their guns.
"We're talking about hard-core gang members who are running around with guns," Brizzi said during his closing remarks.
Several hundred people attended the debate at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 W. 70th St. Jon Schwantes, the host of a political program on WFYI (Channel 20), was the moderator.
Brizzi oversaw gang prosecutions during the 1990s and first criticized Kennedy's plan in a debate Sunday. He called a news conference Monday to discuss it more.
Kennedy said Wednesday that the amnesty idea would apply only to young gang members "who haven't yet committed that crime, but who are on that path."
"I'm going to stand by that, for sure," she said.
The hourlong debate was the second of four scheduled in a prosecutor's race that has drawn more interest than usual with the absence of other tight local races. Nearly $3 million has been poured into the race, enabling both campaigns to blanket the airwaves with TV ads. It has become the most expensive prosecutor's race on record.
Audience members wrote questions on cards in advance about topics including the death penalty, illegal immigrants who commit crimes and the office's role in prosecuting misdeeds in state government.
One question alluded to charges filed Wednesday against Indiana Pacers player Stephen Jackson. Both candidates said public figures should receive the same treatment as everyone else.
Both also pledged to serve a full four-year term.
Throughout, Brizzi emphasized Kennedy's lack of prosecutorial experience, and Kennedy said it was time for a leadership change in the office.
After the debate, Beth-El members Sue and Doug Welcher said they had not yet decided which candidate to support.
"We just came to hear what they had to say," Sue Welcher said. "They both had very good points to make."
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