Gill touts experience; Miller, leadership

Sim Gill was just 8-years-old when he saw an innocent man beaten to a bloody pulp.

The brutal police beating opened Gill's eyes to injustice and inspired him to become a prosecutor.

Lohra Miller also has something to say about justice. She accuses the current Salt Lake County district attorney of alienating valley law enforcement and says she wants to change that, even if it means stepping into the spotlight that makes her so uncomfortable.

The race for Salt Lake County district attorney has been a bumpy road for both Miller, a Republican, and Gill, a Democrat. Both campaigns have been tainted by allegations of illegal campaign contributions.

Despite the scandals, both Miller and Gill say they want to focus on the issues. For this race, however, one issue stands out: experience.

SIM GILL:

It was nearly 37 years ago that Gill got his first taste of the power a prosecutor holds.

Gill was in Kannauj, India, visiting his uncle, when the neighborhood housekeeper was dragged out into the courtyard by the local police. They claimed the man stole some jewelry, then started to beat him with long bamboo sticks.

"He begged for mercy," Gill said. "He said he was innocent and then confessed to everything they wanted to hear."

Shortly after witnessing the beating, the young Gill tried to comprehend what had happened. He asked his uncle who was in charge of the police, and who let them do this. His answer? The local prosecutor. It wasn't until much later that police arrested the right man.

"I learned a very important lesson: This is a very important office, and there is an immense amount of power and responsibility that goes with it," Gill said.

Throughout his career, Gill has steered clear from the lure of a lucrative private practice, instead opting to live a life of public service.

Gill has worked as a public prosecutor for more than 12 years. After stints at Layton city and Salt Lake County, he served as a deputy prosecutor for the county district attorney's office for more than four years. From there, he was appointed as Salt Lake City's chief prosecutor in 2000.

Gill is the only candidate with any felony prosecution experience. He says he has convicted multiple felony offenders, including DUI, porn distribution and aggravated assault cases. However, he has only co-chaired one capital homicide case.