Gov. Phil Bryant announced today he has appointed Kassie Coleman as District Attorney of the 10th Circuit Court District. Coleman replaces Bilbo Mitchell who will retire Oct. 31 from the position. Her appointment will be effective Nov. 1.
The 10th Circuit Court District encompasses Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, and Wayne counties.
“Kassie has faithfully served the people of the 10th Circuit Court District in recent years, and I am pleased she has accepted this appointment as District Attorney,” Gov. Bryant said. “Her experience in multiple districts as a prosecutor make her well-qualified, and I know she will do an exceptional job.”
Coleman has served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 10th Circuit Court District since 2014 handling felony cases from indictment to final resolution. Additionally, she assisted law enforcement during this time with their investigations.
“I am honored by Gov. Bryant’s appointment to be the next District Attorney for my hometown community,” Coleman said. “I will continue to work hard to serve the citizens of Lauderdale, Kemper, Clarke, and Wayne Counties with fairness and integrity.”
Prior to joining the 10th Circuit Court District she was an Assistant District Attorney for the 12thCircuit Court District in Perry and Forrest counties prosecuting violent crimes. She also oversaw all of the community service and pre-trial diversion programs for the district.
She also served in the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office as a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor and Special Assistant Attorney General from 2003 to 2006.
“I felt confident in retiring because I knew Gov. Bryant would take the time to make an educated decision and replace me with someone who would be a great district attorney,” said Mitchell. “Kassie has long been respected as one of Mississippi’s brightest and most capable prosecutors. She has been a huge help to me over the years, and I’m totally confident that I’m leaving the office in great hands.”
Coleman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Juris Doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law.
She is a member of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, Member of the Lauderdale County Bar Association, and the National District Attorneys Association.
Coleman is the daughter of Jerry and Kathy Coleman of Meridian. She is married to Jay Mercer and has two bonus daughters who live in Georgia. Coleman lives in Lauderdale, Miss.
Governor Phil Bryant Press Release
10/29/2018
