For Newman

To the editor:

For the past 10 years, I have been the deputy commonwealth’s attorney for Pittsylvania County. I know all three candidates for Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney. They are all good people, and I have nothing negative to say against any of them. But I am writing this letter to express my support for Michael Newman.

I have worked with him when he was an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Pittsylvania County. I have learned to respect his integrity. He has been universally tough on crime and he has never played favorites. He treats everyone the same, regardless of their race, their sex or the amount of money they have.

I also respect his work ethic. He has never been one to shy away from the tough cases. He has always volunteered to do whatever is needed to get the job done, and although he is a dedicated family man, his hours don’t end for the day until the job is done. Over the years he has amassed a wealth of courtroom trial experience handling the serious and violent cases you expect a senior prosecutor to handle — and he has handled them well.

The commonwealth’s attorney is your voice in the courtroom, and your vote is your way of placing trust in that person’s ability and willingness to be your advocate. Can you trust them to be fair? Can you trust them to be honest? Can you trust them to always do the right thing, and to do it well? In my opinion, you can trust him. Over the years, I have seen many, many victims of crime place their trust in him, and he has not let them down. And in the end, that is the ultimate question: When crime strikes home, and it is you or your family member who is the victim of a crime, who do you want going to court with you to prosecute your case? For me, the answer is Mike Newman. He has earned that trust from me, and I am confident that if you also place your trust in him on Nov. 3 then he will continue to earn it every day as your voice in the courtroom. I encourage everyone to vote for Michael Newman for Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney. 

ROBERT BRYAN HASKINS

South Boston