By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
About 20 people attended the Gadsden Civitan Club’s meeting last Wednesday, September 2 at Gadsden State Community College. After attending to club business, Jody Willoughby, Etowah County’s new District Attorney addressed the crowd.
Willoughby used the opportunity to let the club member’s know more about him, and what he hopes to accomplish in his new position.
Born in Albertville, Willoughby attended Southside High School. He continued his education at the University of Alabama. He obtained his law degree from UAB.
He married his “fantastic wife” and recently had a son. They are expecting another child next year.
“Family’s the most important thing to me,” said Willoughby.
Becoming a father, made his job even more important to him though.
“I have a passion for children,” said Willoughby. “My son really drove up my dedication to protection and service.”
To take the district attorney job, Willoughby transferred from a private firm.
He said that his new office has been very welcoming and runs well.
“I don’t try to fix something that’s not broken and that office is running smoothly,” said Willoughby.
Nevertheless, he realized that the district attorney’s job is not an easy one.
“There’s a heavy case load,” said Willoughby. “It’s definitely going to take some time.”
He hopes to spend as much time in court as possible, trying cases himself.
“Unfortunately, we have a lot of capital murder cases coming up,” he said.