CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was a historic day Monday, as Spencer Merriweather became the first African American District Attorney in Mecklenburg County.
“Obviously, that comes with a great deal of responsibility," Merriweather said.
Merriweather, a Democrat, is replacing outgoing Republican D.A. Andrew Murray.
Murray severed two terms as county D.A. before being appointed by President Trump to become the next United States Attorney for Western North Carolina.
Despite their political differences, Murray said he fully supports his successor.
"I recommended him and went to see the governor,” Murray said. “And told them that Spencer was the best person in my office to take over the job."
Merriweather said he's excited to start working and is using any doubts as motivation to fuel the engine of justice.
"Skepticism is good,” he told a room full of assistant district attorneys Monday. “We need to be taking a fresh look at what we're doing."
The new view includes finding better ways to move illegal guns off the streets, handle criminals with mental health issues and being a voice for abused women.
"We will stand up for the survivors even if she's not ready to stand up for herself,” Merriweather said.