Politics & Government

Garry Moss Looking Forward To Life After Prosecuting Crimes

The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit district attorney will soon retire from the post he's held for over 30 years.

Long time Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney Garry Moss will soon leave the public spotlight.

Moss decided not to seek re-election to the post he's held for more than 30 years. Shannon Wallace won the July 31 Republican primary to succeed Moss to serve the circuit, which encompasses Cherokee County, and had no Democratic opposition.

Moss, 59, lives in Ball Ground with wife Jessica Moss, who was recently appointed as the new Cherokee County Solicitor General after David Cannon Jr. was elected as the new Cherokee County Superior Court judge.

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Moss and his wife have three children and two grandchildren.

Moss discussed with Patch his career and his plans for the future. 

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1. How are you all feeling now in these last days of your tenure?  

I’m excited about the change and am looking forward to the future.

2. What are some of the proudest moments you all have had during your terms?

Seeing Shannon (Wallace) being sworn in as the newest DA for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit.

3. Looking back, is there anything you would have approached differently on any case? 

I’m sure there are some decisions that given the benefit of hindsight may have been different. However, all in all I am satisfied with the outcome.

4. What were some of your hardest cases you've had to prosecute? Were there any in which you wanted a different outcome? Were there any you were most proud to have prosecuted? 

Every case is important. However, the most difficult cases have been involved with have been child homicides. There is no way to express my range of emotions in these cases. It takes a toll on each one of us. We take the cases and the victims home with us in our minds and hearts. I won’t forget a single case.

(Editor's note: the most recent and possibly most prolific child homicide case Moss has prosecuted is the Jorelys Rivera tragedy). 

5. How do you feel about the future direction of the district attorney's office? 

I am most optimistic about the future of the DA’s office under the leadership of Shannon Wallace.

7. Do you have any advice for Ms. Wallace? 

Do what you know is right in your heart regardless of the opinions of others.

8. What are your plans for the near future? Any possibility of getting back into politics? 

I will be working in a part-time basis for Shannon in the new Drug Accountability Court. No, I don’t intend to re-enter politics.

9. What do you want to tell residents who have elected and supported you over the years?

Thanks to each any every person who has helped me in my career. Without you, I couldn’t have done this work. Above all, I thank God for his blessings and deliverance.


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