PORT TOWNSEND — One of the county prosecutors who successfully convicted Michael J. Pierce for a 2009 double murder will join Port Townsend city staff next month as its prosecuting attorney.
“It’s a new challenge and a new opportunity which I was looking for at this point in my career,” Christopher Ashcraft said.
“The city was willing to give it to me.”
His first day with the city is May 1.
Ashcraft, 44, has worked in the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for five years and has been the chief criminal deputy since 2013.
In addition, he was a corrections officer with Jefferson County for three years.
He was part of the prosecutorial team that argued against Pierce, who was twice convicted, in 2010 and 2014, of murdering Quilcene residents Pat and Janice Yarr in 2009.
Kitsap resident
A resident of northern Kitsap County, Ashcraft said he plans to move to Port Townsend as soon as possible, “but it’s impossible to get a home loan when you’ve just changed jobs.”
“I love the area and I love Port Townsend. If I could move up here tomorrow, I would.”
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Haas, who took office in January, called Ashcraft “a rock of stability.”
“He is a decent guy who really cares about his cases and how to handle them appropriately,” Haas said.
“His departure is a great loss.”
Haas said he plans to advertise for applicants for the county vacancy as soon as possible.
Ashcraft was one of 24 applicants for the city position.
Six finalists were selected with five interviewed, as one candidate dropped out, according to Pam Kolacy, the city’s human resources director.
Nominal raise
Ashcraft earns an annual salary of $71,999 at Jefferson County; the city will pay him $75,075.
Ashcraft said the raise itself was not significant but that there is a potential to earn more at a later date “because I’ve pretty much hit the ceiling in this job.”
Ashcraft will replace Johanna Vanderlee as city prosecuting attorney. The job will focus on civil matters that are usually heard in District Court.
Ashcraft will operate out of an office at Mountain View Commons and will have less support and fewer resources than at the county courthouse.
Both City Attorney Steven Gross and City Manager David Timmons said Ashcraft was selected due to the range of his experience.
“I was impressed with his long-term commitment to this area and his outstanding record of being fair and impartial in his handling of difficult and complex legal matters that impact our community,” Timmons said in a statement.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
