BILL GAITHER/The Register-Mail

Mark Graham stands along the northern side of the Knox County Courthouse for a portrait Thursday afternoon. After two years as assistant state's attorney in Knox County he is headed for a similar position in McHenry County.

Working for the people

Assistant state's attorney takes prosecution elsewhere

Friday, September 29, 2006

By TOM LOEWY

The Register-Mail

And after serving the last 27 months as the Knox County assistant state's attorney, he is moving on. The 37-year-old is headed to Woodstock, where he'll serve as McHenry County's assistant prosecutor and chief drug enforcement officer.

"I went to Knox College," Graham said. "I went on a visit and something clicked when I was on campus. I liked the faculty I met and I knew I wanted a small, private liberal arts college."

Graham's path to the Knox County was a winding one. After graduating from Knox in 1991, he worked for his alma mater as an admissions counselor.

Then he went to Washington University and earned a master's in political science.

"My original idea was to do a Ph.D, but then I decided to do something more practical," Graham said. "I went to the University of Iowa's law school."

He matriculated in 2001 and joined Prairie State Legal Service's staff, a not-for-profit organization that provided legal aid.

"I didn't do any criminal work when I was there," Graham said. "We assisted a lot of older people and people in discrimination cases. We were helping people who couldn't afford legal representation."

In June of 2004, Graham jumped over to the other side and joined Knox County State's Attorney Paul Mangieri's office.

"I don't think it was that much of a change," Graham said. "People have the view that prosecutors are out to get people. A lot of people I went to law school with got out and make big bucks.

"I have always been interested in public service. When you work with the prosecutor's office, you represent the people of Knox County. And that is a wider responsibility than many people realize. You have to make sure the justice system works."

Graham said any case involving child molestation is the toughest case to prosecute.

"It is the most serious, most frustrating and difficult to prove," Graham said.

He named another tough case.

"One of the toughest cases I tried was the case involving Dante Hubbard and the shooting of Jonas Ross in the Wal-Mart parking lot," Graham said. "It was tough because of witness testimony. You never know what a witness will get up on a stand and say."

Mangieri said he gave Graham his highest recommendation.

"I can't imagine a finer assistant," Mangieri said. "Mark has good wisdom. Work ethic and wisdom. Mark brought enthusiasm, work ethic and integrity to his job. Those are the kind of people you always hope to find."

Even with the glowing review, Graham said he doesn't think he has any plans to try and become a state's attorney.

"I enjoy my job and enjoy trying cases," Graham said. "I think I have developed a lot of expertise in the last two years.

"Right now, my ambition is to be a good attorney. But I think someday I would like to be able to teach."