Gabriel Gore sworn-in as new St. Louis circuit attorney

ST. LOUIS – Gabriel E. Gore, sworn-in Tuesday as the city’s top prosecutor, said his goal on his first day will be to stabilize the Circuit Attorney’s Office and fulfill its “critical role in the criminal justice process.”

“I will do that by instilling a culture in the office in which we strive for excellence in everything we do,” Gore said after taking the oath in a packed courtroom in the Carnahan Courthouse. “We will also get to work on the backlog of cases. It’s a tremendous backlog and it’s going to be hard work.”

Gabriel E. Gore, center, is sworn-in as St. Louis’ new circuit attorney on May 30, 2023. Administering the oath is Missouri Supreme Court Justice Robin Ransom, right.

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Robin Ransom administered the oath Tuesday, with several public officials watching. Those included St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell.

“We understand full well that we’re going to do all of these things at once,” Gore said. “We have no illusions. This will not be easy, but starting today, working together, we can restore the public’s confidence and trust in the Circuit Attorney’s Office. Because public service is a public trust. We’re ready to get to work.”

Gore was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson earlier this month, a few days after Kimberly M. Gardner stepped down amid intensifying scrutiny of her management of the Circuit Attorney’s Office, the continued loss of prosecutors and a “quo warranto” lawsuit by the Missouri attorney general aimed at removing Gardner from her second term.

Gardner was first elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020. During both terms, Gardner positioned herself as a criminal justice reformer. She struggled to fulfill her objectives in part stemming from problems managing the office, an exodus of experienced prosecutors and missteps in serious criminal cases.

Gore was among 18 applicants for the appointment. He was a partner at the Clayton law firm Dowd Bennett and has more than two decades of experience in private practice. He previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in St. Louis.

After Tuesday’s ceremony, Gore took questions from St. Louis reporters about his priorities and approach to the job. He said he has already begun talking to people interested in working for him including former assistant circuit attorneys he described as “extremely devoted.”

His philosophy for the job, he said, will be “to look at the facts, enforce the laws as they’re written.”

Gore said he hopes to work with other prosecutors’ offices including Bell’s office in St. Louis County and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in order to address a deep backlog of cases on the docket, stabilize his office, seek justice for victims and fulfill obligations to the court — meaning showing up for court and coming prepared.

“I define public safety as what any of us want for our families,” he said. “We want to be able to go out and go through your daily activities without being concerned about any harm coming to you. Just very basic public safety. I’ve been fortunate in my life that I’ve been able to grow up in those kinds of environments and that’s what I want for everyone.”

Before Gore’s swearing-in Tuesday morning, Presiding Judge Elizabeth Hogan was interviewed on KMOX-AM about the challenges Gore faces in his new job.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Hogan

Hogan told KMOX’s Megan Lynch that the St. Louis Circuit Court judges have and will continue to do what they can to work with the Circuit Attorney’s Office during the office’s transition to new leadership. She said the St. Louis Circuit Court’s concerns about public safety in St. Louis mirror that of the citizens.

“I think, like the community, all of the judges obviously live in the city and are raising their families here,” Hogan said. “We’ve all seen very concerning criminal activity, particularly lately, and I believe the court takes very seriously the rights of victims, their opportunity to be heard in cases. At the same time, we have to balance the rights of defendants, many of whom are confined and waiting trial.”