NORFOLK— Michael Morrissey, the embattled Norfolk District Attorney, has announced he will not seek reelection, bringing an end to his controversial tenure that began in 2010.

Morrissey’s decision comes amidst a storm of criticism regarding his office’s handling of high-profile cases, particularly the Karen Read and Sandra Birchmore investigations. “After thorough consideration, I have decided not to seek reelection this November,” Morrissey stated, expressing pride in his achievements over the last 15 years.

Under Morrissey’s watch, his office reportedly spent over $1.4 million retrying the Karen Read case, where she was accused of fatally hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV. The case was marred by a mistrial and a retrial that ultimately acquitted Read of all but a minor drunk driving charge.

In another scandal, Morrissey's office initially ruled the death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore a suicide. However, federal investigators later alleged that a former Stoughton police detective murdered Birchmore and staged her death. This shocking revelation raised serious questions about the competency and integrity of Morrissey's office.

Meanwhile, a crowded field of candidates is already vying for the position, including former federal prosecutor Adam Deitch and ex-Suffolk County prosecutors Djuna Perkins and Craig MacLellan. Perkins asserted that Morrissey’s departure opens the door for a new, unbiased approach to justice in Norfolk County.

As Morrissey steps away from the spotlight, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office faces critical scrutiny, leaving many to wonder if this is the end of a scandal-plagued era or just the beginning of a new chapter for justice in the county.