D.A.: Promotions make ‘strong leadership team even stronger’
Newly promoted deputy district attorneys are Michelle Frei (from left), Mark Conte, Renee Merion, and Thomas Ost-Prisco.
Four Chester County assistant district attorneys have been promoted to deputy district attorneys, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced Friday.
Hogan said the new deputies – Michelle Frei, Thomas Ost-Prisco, Renée Merion, and Mark Conte – all have distinct areas of expertise, demonstrated dedication, and solid experience. “The District Attorney’s Office just made a strong leadership team even stronger,” Hogan said in a news release.
Frei, a prosecutor for 12 years, received her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College and her law degree from Villanova University School of Law. She is the head of domestic violence prosecutions in Chester County and also handles a full trial list before Senior Judge Thomas G. Gavin. Most recently, Frei was part of the team that convicted Laquanta Chapman, a Coatesville resident, of first-degree murder in a death penalty case.
Thomas Ost-Prisco, a prosecutor for 15 years, graduated from Ursinus College and Widener University School of Law. He heads the arson and explosives investigations in the county, acting as a liaison to Chester County fire departments and arson investigators. In addition, he is assigned to trial duties before Senior Judge Ronald C. Nagle.
Renée Merion has been a prosecutor for 19 years, having received her undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar College and her law degree from Widener University School of Law. She is the head of the Chester County District Attorney’s Juvenile Unit, handling all aspects of juvenile prosecutions.
Mark Conte, a 13-year prosecutor, received his undergraduate degree from Millersville University and his law degree from Widener University School of Law. In addition to his trial assignments, Conte runs trial-advocacy training for the District Attorney’s Office. He is assigned to the courtroom of President Judge James P. MacElree II.
