The Lauderdale County courtroom, normally a solemn, quiet room with only a handful of audience members, was filled nearly to capacity Friday as law enforcement and attorneys from across the state crowded into pews to welcome Kassie Coleman as the 10th Circuit Court’s new district attorney.

Though Coleman’s term began Thursday, 10th Circuit Court Judge Charles Wright swore in Coleman Friday in front of friends and family, including dozens of law enforcement officers from across the district.

“I’m very excited; it’s a humbling experience to see so many people supporting me,” Coleman said. “It’s a compliment to see them here… They’re my partners and to see their support – that they believe in me – it’s an honor.”

Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Coleman, who will be the first woman to hold the 10th Circuit Court’s district attorney seat, after Bilbo Mitchell, who held the position for 31 years, retired on Wednesday. The court covers Kemper, Lauderdale, Clarke and Wayne Counties, rotating between the four throughout the year.

Mitchell said he recommended Coleman to the position. Wright said he and Lester Williamson Jr., who also presides over the 10th Circuit Court as a judge, supported Coleman in addition to Mitchell.

“I was in the private practice as a defense attorney when we met,” Wright said. “But I did recognize that she had the qualities of a good prosecutor.”

Wright worked as district attorney in the late 1970s, just before the position shifted from part time to full time, and told Coleman take the duties with a grain of salt by sharing a story from his time as DA.

“I’m a deep sleeper and if you call me and wake me up… I might not remember what I said when I woke up,” Wright said. “A voter called me and she said, ‘My husband is stepping out on me and I need to know what to do.’ And I said, ‘Well, if you catch him, just shoot him.’ “

Wright said he returned to sleep, not remembering the, admittedly terrible, legal advice he’d shared when the woman called to thank him.

“I had a flash, ‘The Meridian Star: New DA authorizes wife to shoot husband,’ ” Wright said. “I asked her if she hit him and she said, ‘No, I shot out his back window. But he said he wouldn’t do it again.’ “

Wright paused before delivering the punchline.

“Two folks missed a bullet that day,” Wright said to a courtroom full of laughter.

Wright returned to Coleman to impart wisdom from this experience.

“So, Kassie, I suggest to you that no matter how serious the job, take some levity,” Wright said. “And I certainly learned not to say the first thing that came to mind.”

Todd Kemp, the sheriff for Clarke County, said that he and Mitchell started their respective positions at roughly the same time, with Coleman signalling a “change of the guard.”

“Bilbo was a friend. I hate to see him go,” Kemp said. “Kassie will do an excellent job. She’ll work closely with law enforcement in this district.”

Coleman’s mother, Kathy Coleman, said that her daughter’s appointment was something that the family had prayed about for some time.

“God has led her down this road and he put her where he wanted her to be,” Kathy Coleman said. “She’s worked hard to get here.”