By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS -- Circuit Judge Michael E. Dodge introduced Muskegon County's senior trial attorney, Victor A. Fitz, 45, Tuesday as Cass County's new prosecuting attorney.
Fitz, who expects to start May 19, said, "I'll be looking to find a home here in Cass County very quickly and I've got a few things I need to finish up in Muskegon County for Prosecutor Tague. And I think I'll take a quick week of vacation because I don't plan to take any for a long time once I start."
Fitz acknowledged the "robust" number of 15 Cass County commissioners, which to him is "more than a jury."
Scott Teter resigned March 9 to accept a job with the Michigan Attorney General's Office.
Fitz graduated from the Valparaiso, Ind., University School of Law in 1983, then went to work for the Tuscola County Prosecutor's Office -- "an office and county much like ours here in Cass," Dodge said. Fitz served as assistant prosecutor from 1983 to 1987, when he was promoted chief assistant.
In the almost 16 years Fitz has worked in Muskegon, Dodge said, he has tried "well over 100 felony jury trials with outstanding success. This would include 19 homicide trials, 56 life offense trials, 25 major drug trials and 13 armed robbery trials.
Fitz warned courthouse Notre Dame fans that he is a lifelong University of Michigan fan.