Longtime District Attorney Jim Woodall recently announced plans to retire at the end of his term.

Woodall has served as the district attorney for Prosecutorial District 18, which encompasses all of Orange and Chatham Counties, since 2005. Previously, he served as the district’s assistant district attorney for 17 years. He alerted the judicial district’s bar about his decision with a letter on Monday, saying he will not run for re-election in 2022.

“I have generally let it be known over the last few months that my current term as District Attorney will be my last,” wrote Woodall. “However, I feel it is important to make my intentions officially known.”

Woodall presided over his office and prosecuted cases around several high-profile crimes in the community, including the murder of UNC student Eve Carson in 2008, the murder of UNC Professor Feng Liu in 2014, the 2015 Finley Forest shooting and many others. He also advocated and worked to adopt elements of reform to the local criminal justice system during his tenure.

“It has been my honor to serve our district and state for 31 years,” wrote Woodall. “I have had the privilege of working with many wonderful people over the years. None more professional or dedicated than my staff in the District Attorney’s Office.”

Woodall’s current term is set to end on December 31, 2022. Assistant District Attorney Jeff Nieman announced his plans to run for the District Attorney position on Wednesday.

 

Photo courtesy of The News & Observer.

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