District 23 DistrictAttorneyAdam Panter submitted his resignation, effective Sept. 30.
In a letter of resignation to Gov. Kevin Stitt, Secretary of State Benjamin Lepak and Executive Coordinator Kathryn Brewer of the Oklahoma District Attorney’s Council, Panter said that due to circumstances beyond his control, he believed it would be irresponsible for him to continue past the end of the month in his role. He fully intends to honor his commitment through then.
“At the end of September, I do not believe I will be able to perform my duties in a manner that victims, law enforcement, and the public deserve,” he said.
In the letter, Panter said that after his appointment in October 2022, he worked to build a team of highly respected, experienced and successful prosecutors who shared a vision of the “tenacious pursuit of justice.” After his primary loss, those prosecutors were recruited to various other prosecution positions across the state and will have resigned from District 23 by the end of this month. Because of this, it necessitates a a quicker transition. He said that he hopes that this transition will benefit the incoming administration, giving them more time to prepare for upcoming trials.
“It is my hope that this will allow the Governor ample time to consider and appoint District Attorney-elect Daniel McClure to the position to ensure a quick and seamless transition to his administration,” he wrote.
Panter said that he is honored to have served as the district attorney and grateful for the opportunity to have made a difference.
“I would like to recognize and thank my amazing staff of attorneys, support staff, and investigators who have dedicated their careers to the pursuit of justice. There is no way I would have been so successful without their hard work and sacrifice,” he said.