GRAY FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY

New Orleanians are faced with almost daily reminders of the ravaging
effects of violence on families, neighborhoods and the city. Thursday
brought an especially horrifying example.

A 7-year-old child was stabbed to death in front of an Uptown church, where
police say he had fled from his mother's enraged boyfriend. A crowd watched
the man repeatedly plunge a knife into the child's chest.

This ought to be a crime that is easily solved and easily prosecuted. There
are numerous witnesses; the police arrived quickly. But even when the
evidence seems strong, such cases often fail to win convictions in Orleans
Parish.

That, as much as any other reason, is why the choice Oct. 5 of a new
district attorney is so crucial for New Orleans voters. The next district
attorney must be a knowledgeable lawyer, an innovative manager, a skillful
communicator and a fearless protector of the public good.

This race has a number of well qualified candidates, but our choice is
James Gray.

Mr. Gray earned his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College and is a
1973 graduate of Harvard Law School. He was a Marine platoon commander in
Vietnam before entering law school. He has practiced law for almost three
decades, including an early stint as a prosecutor in Baton Rouge. He also
has taught law at the Louisiana State University Law Center.

James Gray is more than an intelligent and experienced lawyer. He clearly
understands the crucial role the district attorney plays in shaping a
justice system that citizens trust enough to help.

Mr. Gray knows that prosecuting violent criminals is the office's top
priority and that police and prosecutors must work together toward that
end. He knows that, even though resources for pay raises may be hard to
come by, the office must attract and retain top-notch prosecutors who are
aggressive, highly skilled and engaged in the community they serve.

The new district attorney also must take on the corruption cases growing
out of Mayor Nagin's crackdown at City Hall -- and any others that come
along. Mr. Gray is highly capable of doing so.

Perhaps his most important qualification, though, is that he understands
the landscape of crime in New Orleans.

He recognizes that violence is fueled not only by drugs, but by feuds and
fear and intimidation. He knows that witnesses who don't trust the police
or the district attorney aren't going to stand up against the bad guys.

And he knows that the district attorney has to help build that trust, has
to help make sure that New Orleans is safe.

We believe that James Gray is the best person for this very difficult job.