After an odd series of events–or non-events– late in the week, Berrien County is facing the departure of its Prosecuting Attorney before his elected term ends December 31. Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli is resigning effective June 3, almost seven months early. Pierangeli had been expected to seek reelection. And he hasn’t explained why he is calling it a career in the Prosecutor’s Office nor what he plans to do next
Meanwhile, one of his assistant prosecutors, Amy Byrd, announced Friday that she will run for the Prosecutor post. However, her announcement didn’t mention Pierangeli, nor his decision to leave, sparking some to speculate there had been a rift in the office.
Not the case, however, as apparently Pierangeli had informed Berrien County’s Chief Trial Judge earlier in the week that he would step down in June. And he apparently told his staff Thursday but made no other announcement.
Thursday morning Pierangeli went before the Berrien County Board of Commissioners to appeal for higher salaries for assistant prosecutors in Berrien County, which were then approved by the Commissioners. Again, he made no mention to Commissioners of his intention to resign the post he has held since 2021.
On Saturday, the Herald-Palladium reported Pierangeli would cut short his term, saying the paper received a personal email from him late Friday. Again, no explanation for the resignation. And no general announcement to the voting public or numerous other media outlets who cover Berrien County government and the Courts.
So, what happens next?
An interim prosecutor will be chosen by a panel of four Berrien Circuit Court trial judges to serve from June through the end of the elected term December 31, 2024. That person, if he or she desires, may run for the full term in the November election against any other candidates who qualify for the ballot.
