An attorney, who has been prosecuting drug cases in Savannah, has been hired to concentrate on similar cases in the area.
Russell "Rusty" Mabrey of Richmond Hill was sworn in as an Atlantic Judicial Circuit assistant district attorney by Superior Court Judge David Cavender on July 8.
District Attorney Tom Durden said he hired Mabrey to handle cases in Liberty and Long counties. He is filling a vacancy after Mark Hendrix left to practice law in Richmond Hill at the Murray & Harvey firm. Hendrix worked at the DA’s office for nine years.
"Rusty comes to us from Chatham County," Durden said. "He was assigned to the narcotics team where he was the legal advisor and trial attorney for them. This particular slot is a drug prosecution slot, which is why his background and qualifications particularly suited him for this position."
Mabrey graduated with a BA in computer science and business administration from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta in 1987. He received his jurist doctorate in 1995 from Emory University and was in the top third of his class. He worked for DA Spencer Lawton for four years while in Chatham County.
Mabrey has worked as a prosecutor 14 years and said he considers his new job a homecoming.
"I live in this circuit," he said. "It’s how I can serve my community and I believe it’s an act of service to the community. Most lawyers can make more money if they aren’t working for the government but that’s not really the issue, it’s the service to the community."
Mabrey said he spent the last week observing local courts.
"Hopefully I can hit the ground running and assist the citizens of this community," he said.
"We were sorry to see Mark go," Durden said. "But we are glad to get Rusty."
Patty Leon is a reporter for the Coastal Courier in Hinesville.