“It is and has a been a true honor and privilege to serve the people of Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties as their elected District Attorney for the past 18 years and to serve the people of Halifax County as their elected district attorney for the past three years,” Asbell stated. “When the General Assembly merged the two districts in 2015, it doubled the size of my district and they eliminated positions within my office as well. It was a demanding task, doubling the caseload of my office with less manpower, but I accepted and embraced the challenge and assembled an amazing staff of dedicated, fearless professionals. My assistant district attorneys have over 82 years of prosecuting experience combined.

“Along with the great relationships with all of the people of Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties, I have come to make wonderful relationships and lifelong friends with my colleagues, law enforcement, and the community in Halifax County. With over 24 years of experience in the courtroom as a prosecutor, I am the only candidate with the experience, background, and proven results in a multi-county district to continue to serve all four counties.”

Asbell has tried all types of cases in District and Superior Court, including first-degree murder cases (both capital and non-capital). Asbell has sought and has given substantial active sentences for murderers, habitual felons, drug dealers, child molesters, sex offenders and other felony offenders, and has tried more than 250 cases in Superior Court.

“I take crime personally in this community and with the outbreak of violence in these four counties and our communities, my staff and I have worked countless hours preparing and trying murder cases, attempted murder cases, armed robberies, sex offenders and other violent crime including gang related crimes,” Asbell noted. “There have been many violent offenders who have gone through local law enforcement and our court system in the past 24 years, but particularly the past three years, who have received decades in prison.

“I work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s office in cases against violent offenders who originated in our local courts who have been tried and sentenced in federal court for substantial punishments. My office works closely with the local law enforcement departments, and state and federal authorities.”

Asbell stressed that no two counties are the same and no two cities are the same.

“But the values of right and wrong are the same no matter where you go. You have to be a part of the community to serve a community,” Asbell said. “I have worked continuously to strike a good balance by enforcing the laws and holding criminals accountable while also trying to work with first-time non-violent offenders to help them get on a straight-and-narrow path so they can be productive citizens of society. To that end, I offer Deferred Prosecution programs to certain first time felony and misdemeanor offenders so that these people can have clean records if they successfully complete these programs.”

Asbell has taken a proactive approach to preventing crime and preventing young people from coming into the court system. She is active in initiatives and outreach efforts and in the schools, civic organizations, and the faith-based community to help reach at-risk youth.

She is a speaker in the school systems and in the community, addressing many topics including drug and gang awareness, cyber bullying, elder abuse, financial crimes and other violent crimes.

Asbell has served the public in many capacities locally and statewide: Board Member of the Roanoke Chowan Domestic Violence Task Force; Member of the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission (2006-2011); Board Member for Hannah’s Place; Past President of the 6B Judicial Bar; Adjunct Professor for the National Advocacy Center; Instructor for the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys and the North Carolina Institute of Government.

Asbell graduated in 1989 from Emory University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Psychology and graduated from Tulane Law School in 1992. She is married to Jimmy Asbell who is the Major with the Ahoskie Police Department and she is the proud mother of two children, Cole and Ethan.

The family attends and are members of Center Grove Baptist Church in Ahoskie.

“I promise to continue to be honest, open, and accessible to all of the citizens of these four counties,” Asbell said. “I will listen and work to make sure the needs of our communities are being met and our citizens and property are protected. It is an incredible privilege to be the Elected District Attorney in District 6. I am asking for your support and your prayers during this campaign season.”