Above, James M. Cutchin at Raymond Martin’s sentencing hearing January 19, 2011
U.S.—While state supreme court justices are deliberating former Gallatin County sheriff Raymond Martin’s appeal for a new trial, the two attorneys who prosecuted his case back in September 2010 have been honored with an award from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for their work on this particular case.
According to a widely-distributed/reported press release from the federal court’s media office, former Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Carr (recently retired) of Carbondale and current Assistant United States Attorney James C. Cutchin of Carmi were two of 163 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director H. Marshall Jarrett at the 28th annual Director’s Awards Ceremony held today, 12.09.11, in Washington D.C.
The Southern District of Illinois was one of a select number of districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In his prepared remarks, Attorney General Holder told the awardees that they “represent the very best that this Department has to offer” and that their “work embodies our ongoing commitment – not merely to win cases, but to do justice; to protect our fellow citizens; to empower the most vulnerable among us; and to uphold the rule of law.”
“Each day the members of the US Attorneys’ community go to work for the citizens of this country with one goal in mind – to do everything they can to protect the rights of all Americans,” said EOUSA Director Jarrett. “I am continually humbled by their resiliency, dedication, and unparalleled work ethic to accomplish this noble mission. Today’s awardees exemplify what it truly means to be a patriot and it is an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary service.”
Assistant United States Attorneys Carr and Cutchin were honored for “Superior Performance by an AUSA -Criminal” for their skilled and dedicated investigation and prosecution of the former Sheriff of Gallatin County, Raymond M. Martin, which resulted in Martin being convicted and sentenced to prison terms in excess of life in prison for the felonies he was committing while in the office of Sheriff.
“While I can assure the citizens of the Southern District of Illinois that my Office strives, on a daily basis, to serve all of our people in a professional and dedicated fashion, it is always gratifying to learn that the skilled work of the District’s employees is also recognized on a national level,” noted United States Attorney Wigginton. “Our citizens should be as proud of these awardees as I am.”