Morgenthau Backs Vance To Succeed Him As DA

The Chief-Leader/Tommy Hallissey TRYING TO PASS THE TORCH: Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau is flanked by the man he hopes will succeed him, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., and former Mayor David Dinkins after the two senior officials delivered their endorsements.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau June 25 endorsed one of his former assistants, Cyrus Vance Jr., in the heated battle to succeed him after 35 years as the borough's chief prosecutor.

"I support Cy Vance in this year's election because I believe he is the best-qualified, by his experience and his views, to keep this office the strongest in the nation," Mr. Morgenthau told reporters. "The next Manhattan DA must know the criminal justice system from both sides, and understand that prosecutors have great power which must be exercised with restraint and humility. My successor must continue to zealously pursue the rule of law, not simply convictions, and must seek justice rather than revenge."

A Shot At Snyder

His statement was a thinly veiled shot at former Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Leslie Crocker Snyder, whom Mr. Morgenthau has criticized for harsh remarks she made about criminal defendants while sentencing them. The other candidate is Richard Aborn, and all three of them at one point worked for the Manhattan DA.

Mr. Vance served as an Assistant District Attorney under Mr. Morgenthau during the high-crime era of the 1980s. He handled cases involving murder, organized crime, political corruption and white-collar crime.

"It is a true honor to have the endorsement of Robert Morgenthau—a legal giant, a great friend and an invaluable mentor to me," Mr. Vance said. "Fairness, justice, integrity: these are principles by which Mr. Morgenthau has led his life. He has instilled these principles in the lives and careers of thousands of lawyers who worked under him in the office, myself included."

During his tenure, Mr. Morgenthau, who will turn 90 later this summer, created or expanded several specialized units in the Trial Division, including the Sex Crimes Unit, the first of its kind. Mr. Morgenthau's office has become a New York institution that has produced as many notable former Assistant District Attorneys as high-profile cases. Current U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and former Governor Eliot Spitzer all worked under Mr. Morgenthau.

Tipped His Hand Earlier

This endorsement was not a surprise. Mr. Morgenthau's top aide, Daniel Castleman, quit his job in April after learning the DA would back Mr. Vance rather than his own candidacy; he has since dropped out of the race.

After nine terms in office, Mr. Morgenthau announced in February that he would not seek re-election. When Ms. Snyder ran against him four years ago, she made a issue of his age by arguing that he had not adapted to changing times, but he defeated her handily in the Democratic primary.

Mr. Morgenthau was joined at the press conference by former Mayor David Dinkins and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.

Mr. Dinkins said, "Bob Morgenthau's support of Cy Vance's candidacy carries significant weight and should influence Manhattan voters to follow his example by electing Cy Vance as District Attorney. He understands the importance of fairness on all sides of the criminal justice system."

Ms. Gotbaum said that Mr. Vance "supports proactive interaction between law enforcement officer and the neighborhoods they protect, which makes a major difference in reducing crime."