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Ferguson city attorney at the center of clash between protesters and police

Activists continue to demonstrate against city attorney Stephanie Karr as a police vehicle idles in front of them near Karr's home on Wesley Avenue Monday evening.
Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Activists continue to demonstrate against city attorney Stephanie Karr as a police vehicle idles in front of them near Karr's home on Wesley Avenue Monday evening.

People calling for the ouster of Ferguson city attorney Stephanie Karr chanted and carried signs in a protest that wound its way from the police department to Karr’s house Monday evening.

It was the very first day on the job for new police chief Delrish Moss. But it wasn't the first time Karr has been the subject of controversy.

A 2015 U.S. Department of Justice report highlighted issues around Karr's employment, finding that her additional work as a city prosecutor is a conflict. The city is now accepting applications for a new prosecutor.

Some protesters said removing Karr from the prosecutor's role is a step in the right direction. But others, including Richard Buthod, want her out of Ferguson city government entirely.

“She is looking for — who knows what? Is it dollars in her pocket? Is it fame for herself? It’s certainly not justice in Ferguson,” Buthod said.

The city of Ferguson did not returned our calls asking for a response.

Protestors against Karr joined another group who came to the police department for a different reason: to welcome Chief Moss.

Buthod said he’s also hopeful Moss will make a difference.

“I’m hoping a new page has been turned,” he said.

Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss greets residents outside the Ferguson Police Department hours after being sworn in as chief.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss greets residents outside the Ferguson Police Department hours after being sworn in as chief.

Activists protest against Stephanie Karr alongside a group gathered to welcome Chief Moss with gifts and blue, black and white police memorial flags, which honor officers killed in the line of duty.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Activists protest against Stephanie Karr alongside a group gathered to welcome Chief Moss with gifts and blue, black and white police memorial flags, which honor officers killed in the line of duty.
Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss speaks with high school students working on a video project.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss speaks with high school students working on a video project.
David Whitt, center, with Copwatch, argues with De'Carlon Seewood, Ferguson city manager, left, outside the Ferguson Police Department.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
David Whitt, center, with Copwatch, argues with De'Carlon Seewood, Ferguson city manager, left, outside the Ferguson Police Department.

Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss receives a Cardinals hat from residents who organized a welcome rally for the new chief.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss receives a Cardinals hat from residents who organized a welcome rally for the new chief.

Activist Keith Rose crosses the street with a banner calling for constitutional policing.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Activist Keith Rose crosses the street with a banner calling for constitutional policing.
Welcome rally attendees, left, and protest attendees, right, discuss issues outside the Ferguson Police Department.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Welcome rally attendees, left, and protest attendees, right, discuss issues outside the Ferguson Police Department.
Wes Schnitker holds a sign up in front of Stephanie Karr's house.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Wes Schnitker holds a sign up in front of Stephanie Karr's house.

Demonstrators block police vehicles as Sgt. William Ballard tells them to move to let cars through.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Demonstrators block police vehicles as Sgt. William Ballard tells them to move to let cars through.
Protesters hold signs up in front of Stephanie Karr's house.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Protesters hold signs up in front of Stephanie Karr's house.
Demonstrators block police vehicles as Sgt. William Ballard tells them to move to let cars through.
Credit Carolina Hidalgo | St. Louis Public Radio
Demonstrators block police vehicles as Sgt. William Ballard tells them to move to let cars through.

Follow Nancy Fowler on Twitter: @NancyFowlerSTL 

Follow Carolina Hidalgo on Twitter: @CarolinaHidalgo

Carolina Hidalgo joined St. Louis Public Radio in 2015 as the station’s first visual journalist. She now produces photographs, digital stories and radio features with a focus on issues of race, inequality and immigration. In 2019, she reported from the United States-Mexico border as an International Women’s Media Foundation fellow. In 2018, she was named one of The Lit List’s “30 photographers to watch.” Carolina also volunteers as a mentor with NPR’s Next Generation Radio project. She is a proud native of New York City and a member of Women Photograph and Diversify Photo.
Nancy is a veteran journalist whose career spans television, radio, print and online media. Her passions include the arts and social justice, and she particularly delights in the stories of people living and working in that intersection.