ST. LOUIS, MO (October 3, 2024) — St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore today announced several changes in the Executive Leadership Team of the office, effective October 14, 2024.

Chief Warrant Officer Steven J. Capizzi will become First Assistant, a position that had been unfilled since Gore was appointed Circuit Attorney in May of 2023. In the role of the First Assistant, Capizzi will have oversight of victim services, human resources, facilities management, technology and the day-to-day operations of the Circuit Attorney’s office. Capizzi  has had a distinguished career as an Assistant Circuit Attorney, having previously served as Chief of Misdemeanors in the Circuit Attorney’s office prior to joining the Gore administration in June of 2023. Capizzi has tried more than 60 cases to verdict and has been the driving force in reducing the backlog of thousands of unreviewed applications for warrants.

Mary Pat Carl, currently Chief of Homicide, will succeed Capizzi as Chief Warrant Officer. Carl worked for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s office from 2003 to 2017. In the course of her career, Carl was responsible for prosecuting general felonies, sex crimes, child abuse cases and violent crimes. After rejoining the CAO in June of 2023, Carl has led the effort to decrease the number of unresolved homicide cases. She has tried 89 cases to verdict.

Tanja Engelhardt will become Chief of Homicide, moving from her present position as Supervisor of the Violent Crime Unit. Engelhardt was an Assistant Circuit Attorney from 2000 to 2017, handling misdemeanors, general felonies and homicides and served as Special Victim Unit Team Leader. She has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. She returned to the Circuit Attorney’s Office in July of 2023.

The office’s Executive Leadership Team will consist of Capizzi; Chief Trial Attorney Marvin O. Teer Jr., Carl; Engelhardt; Chief Training Officer George W. Draper III, and Mark C. Darrell, Chief of Staff. Darrell will continue his duties until his retirement at the end of the calendar year.

“These changes will continue moving our office toward the goal of operational excellence that we are striving to achieve,” Gore said. “Having a First Assistant will increase the performance of the units reporting to Capizzi and intensify our focus on improving our day-to-day operations.”

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