Ogletree won't seek reelection as circuit judge; Crain will seek to succeed him
He’s still going to be around for a while, but Etowah County Circuit Judge William “Billy” Ogletree has announced that he won’t seek reelection to a third full term.
On the heels of that announcement, an Etowah County deputy district attorney has signaled that he’ll try to succeed Ogletree after his retirement becomes effective on Jan. 21, 2025.
Brynn Crain says he’ll be a candidate in the March 5, 2024, Republican primary and, if successful, the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.
Ogletree revealed his pending retirement in an email to the district attorney and circuit clerk and their staffs; members of the Etowah County Bar Association; and other court-related agencies and personnel that was provided to The Times. He said the decision came after “much reflection and prayer.”
A 1987 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, Ogletree was in private practice in Gadsden and Greenville before joining the Etowah County DA’s office as an assistant district attorney in 2007.
He was appointed to the bench in Alabama’s 16th Judicial Circuit in 2010 by then-Gov. Bob Riley to succeed Clark Hall, who stepped down to return to private practice.
He won a full six-year term as a Republican in 2012, defeating Democrat Stewart Burns in the general election, and was unopposed in 2018.
Ogletree in his email said he “would never have dreamed that I would be called back home to serve in the Etowah County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy district attorney and then three short years thereafter appointed to the circuit court bench.
“It had been a long and winding road finding my way back home, but with God’s grace and mercy, the unconditional love of family and friends, mentors that took the time to help me find the way and the support of everyone to whom this email has been sent, I was welcomed back with open arms,” he continued. “I want each of you to know the impact you’ve had on my life. I am and forever will be grateful.”
Ogletree said he would “continue to work hard until my last day doing my best to administer justice in all cases before me.”
Ogletree said in a later interview, “It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Etowah County. I couldn’t have asked for a more rewarding opportunity to serve, and it’s been a true honor. And I hope I’ve done it justice.”
Crain in a news release said his decision to try to succeed Ogletree came “after much prayer,” adding, “My family and I are extremely humbled by all of the support we have received. I want to thank God for this opportunity, and we look forward to hitting the campaign trail and earning the vote of the people of Etowah County.”
A graduate of Gadsden High School and the University of Alabama, Crain received a law degree in 2011 from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2011. He returned to Gadsden afterward and was an associate at the firm of Cusimano, Keener, Roberts, Knowles and Mills, maintaining a general civil litigation practice.
He joined the DA’s office in 2014, and as a prosecutor has tried and obtained convictions in numerous criminal cases, including capital murders, robberies and crimes against children.
“As a prosecutor I have worked alongside the brave men and women in law enforcement to fight for justice and uphold the rule of law," Crain said. “If elected, I will bring that same commitment to justice that characterized my work as deputy district attorney. My experience in the courtroom in handling both criminal and civil cases makes me uniquely qualified for the position of circuit judge.”
Crain, his wife Mary Catherine and their two children attend Rainbow Presbyterian Church.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Etowah Circuit judge won't seek third full term
