Prosecutor in Waltham Police Chief Case Experienced in Domestic Violence Cases

With the domestic violence charges against Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix proceeding through the court system, the lead prosecutor in the case may be familiar to some.

Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontz, the head of the Domestic Violence Unit for the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office, has a long and successful history of putting batterers in prison. 

Kontz won the 2011 conviction of Soulemayne Yacouba-Issa, a ident, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office. Yacouba-Issa is serving life in prison.

Kontz has prosecuted many other domestic violence cases including the , according to the DA's office. 

Kontz was recently honored for her work. , A Waltham-based organization that supports domestic violence victims, recently honored Kontz with the Voice for Justice Virginia Bigwood Award, according to the DA's office. Kontz, who has been with DA's office for 14 years, was named the chief of the DVU upon its creation in 2007.

“Suzanne’s passionate dedication and commitment to combating domestic violence is an inspiration to all,” said District Attorney Gerry Leone in a statement on Kontz's award. “Suzanne handles the very complicated dynamics involved in cases of domestic violence with great compassion while serving as an extremely effective prosecutor.  We are thrilled that REACH has honored her with this well-deserved award.”

Kontz lives in Somerville and is a graduate of Boston Univeristy's School of Law, according to the DA's office. 

Full coverage of the case against Waltham Police Chief Thomas LaCroix.