April 1, 2013 ABC News
Prosecutors around the country are "under attack" and should consider having a security detail as a way of life, the Dallas County district attorney told ABC News.
The exclusive interview with DA Craig Watkins came days after Kaufman County DA Mike McLelland and his wife were murdered in their home. Weeks earlier, McLelland's top assistant was also gunned down. Police have few clues to either killing.
In addition, Colorado's prison chief was shot to death in his home.
"Obviously we're under attack," Watkins said. "We've had two district attorneys lose their lives and we've had one law enforcement official in Colorado who lost their lives because of the job that they do. I think one time may cause questions, two times may cause concern, but three? This is the opportunity for us to advocate for adequate security for all individuals who are in the law enforcement realm."
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Watkins, who is the first African-American DA in the history of the state of Texas, said he's received death threats in the past.
"We've been dealing with issues since I got elected," said Watkins who won the job in 2006. "We didn't take them seriously, but after what we've seen in the last month or so it's time for us to take a position that we need to look at this and take it seriously."