Noise and Notes: Commonwealth's Attorney-Elect Tom Wine

Enlarge image

Commonwealth's Attorney-elect Tom Wine

Louisville will have a new chief prosecutor in January, and his name is Tom Wine.

After longtime Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Stengel announced he was retiring, Wine stepped down as a state appeals court judge to run.

Leaving the bench wasn't a safe bet, but Wine won a four-way Democratic primary and sailed in the general election without a Republican opponent.

Now Wine is set to take the reins as residents and city officials begin to focus more on the causes and consequences of violence. There are a number of important and fascinating cases, from single shootings to discussions of organized crime.

I talked to Wine about a number of topics, including his recent staff changes, state budget cuts and concerns with protecting witnesses.