Knowles named new DA for county

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors officially appointed Michael Knowles as the county district attorney on Tuesday.

Knowles, who has served as acting DA since Jan. 20, when Donald Segerstrom resigned from the position to accept a judgeship, will serve out the remainder of the term through Jan. 5, 2015.

Supervisors voted 3-1 to appoint the 29-year veteran of the Tuolumne County DA’s office, with Liz Bass casting the dissenting vote and Randy Hanvelt abstaining. Both supervisors reiterated their stances on the appointment made at previous meetings: that the county should have opened up the process more than it did.

"I think the process leaves a lot to be desired,” said Bass, who added her vote is “nothing against” Knowles.

“I do understand the positives of going ahead and doing something like this. I really feel that all will be better served if there could have been a public interview and just more sunshine,” Bass said.

While the Board of Supervisors is charged with filling the DA position when it becomes vacant, the board had the option of calling for applications and holding public interviews. Tuolumne County Counsel Gregory Oliver said on Tuesday that the law doesn’t allow the county to hold a special election to fill the vacated position or to place it on the ballot for an existing election before the term is up.

Hanvelt said he believes Knowles is a “very qualified candidate” for the job, but he said he had a problem with the process.

"We were remiss in not (asking for applications), but I think it’s too late at this point,” he said.

Knowles served as Segerstrom’s chief assistant and was acting DA from 1991 to 1995. He’s worked in the county office since 1983, and previously worked in the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

"I assure you your trust is not misplaced and will never be betrayed,” he told the board.