Jason M. Walsh
District Attorney of Washington County
Assumed office
August 23, 2021
Preceded byEugene A. Vittone
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRebecca Walsh
Children4
EducationSaint Francis University (BA) Ohio Northern University (JD)

Jason M. Walsh is an attorney and member of the Republican Party. Jason Walsh is the current District Attorney of Washington County, Pennsylvania.[1]

Education

Walsh attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania from 1989 until graduating Summa Cum Laude from the honors college in 1993.[2]

After completing his bachelor's degree, Walsh then attended Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law. He received his Juris Doctor degree there in 1996 and graduated with Distinction.[2]

Career

Upon graduating law school, Jason Walsh joined Herman J. Bigi in general practice in 1996.[1] During this time, he practiced law with a concentration in Criminal Law, DUI, White Collar Crime, as well as all other areas of law. While in private practice, Walsh served as Washington County Children and Youth Services Solicitor for nine years.[3]

After 20 years of working for his private practice, Walsh joined the Washington County District Attorney's Office as Deputy District Attorney in September 2016.[1][3] Walsh was appointed to First Assistant District Attorney by District Attorney Eugene A. Vittone in 2020.[3][4]

Walsh was sworn in as the District Attorney of Washington County on August 23, 2021, after the death of Eugene A. Vittone.[5][6] During Walsh's DA tenure, he has prosecuted several felonies, including homicides.[5][7]

Walsh has sought the death penalty in cases where the accused is charged with homicide in the first-degree. Under Pennsylvania law, an accused person may only receive a death penalty sentence after they have been convicted of first-degree homicide. The guilt trial of capital murder case is separate from the sentencing trial, as consistent with the Pennsylvania criminal code.[8]

Walsh has voiced intention to seek the death penalty in specific cases involving the killing of infants, all of which were under six months old.[9][10][11][12] He has sought the death penalty in the case of the killing of a convenient store worker.[13] He has also sought the death penalty for a case where the victim was killed by being burned alive.[14]

2023 Election

Walsh ran unopposed for the Republican nominee for the office of Washington County District Attorney in the May 2023 primary.[15][16] Walsh was the Republican candidate for the office of Washington County District Attorney for the November 2023 general election.

On November 7, 2023, District Attorney Walsh won his first full-term. He swiftly defeated his challenger by earning 61% of the vote.[17]

Personal life

Jason Walsh is a lifelong resident of Washington County, he grew up in Donora, Pennsylvania[3] and currently lives in Carroll Township. He is married to Rebecca Walsh, and they have four children.[1] Jason also has a brother, Justin Walsh, who has been a judge in Westmoreland County since 2019.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "About The District Attorney | Washington County, PA - Official Website". co.washington.pa.us. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  2. 1 2 "Jason M. Walsh – Bigi & Walsh". Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wolford, Stacy (2020-10-22). "Walsh promoted to Washington County first assistant DA". The Mon Valley Independent. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  4. ↑ "Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone dies". WTAE. 2021-08-22. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  5. 1 2 Independent, Mon Valley (2021-08-31). "Walsh takes over as Washington County DA". The Mon Valley Independent. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  6. ↑ mjones@observer-reporter.com, Mike Jones Staff writer (2021-09-01). "New DA Walsh ready to continue Vittone's legacy". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  7. ↑ "In 10 months as Washington County DA, Jason Walsh seeks death penalty against 8". www.cbsnews.com. 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  8. ↑ "234 Pa. Code Chapter 8. Special Rules For Cases In Which Death Sentence Is Authorized". www.pacodeandbulletin.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  9. ↑ jandreassi@observer-reporter.com, Jon Andreassi Staff writer (2022-06-08). "Peters Township man charged in death of 11-week-old son". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  10. ↑ mjones@observer-reporter.com, Mike Jones Staff writer (2022-03-19). "Smith Township father ordered to stand trial in baby's death". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  11. ↑ mjones@observer-reporter.com, Mike Jones Staff writer (2021-12-09). "Charleroi couple who allegedly hid baby's body in wall charged with homicide". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  12. ↑ mjones@observer-reporter.com, Mike Jones Staff writer (2022-12-22). "Canonsburg couple whose infant died of fentanyl poisoning facing death penalty". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  13. ↑ mjones@observer-reporter.com, Mike Jones Staff writer (2023-10-06). "Judge denies motion asking to remove DA from Donora homicide". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  14. ↑ mjones@observer-reporter.com, Mike Jones Staff writer (2022-04-26). "Death penalty being sought for Rices Landing woman accused of killing man". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  15. ↑ "Walsh announces Republican bid for district attorney". Observer-Reporter. 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  16. ↑ "Jason Walsh (District Attorney of Washington County Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, candidate 2023)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  17. ↑ "Jason Walsh wins first full-term election as Washington County DA - CBS Pittsburgh". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  18. ↑ "Justin Walsh". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
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