New U.S. attorney says he's 'no political figurehead'

By Jamie Satterfield

Knoxville News-Sentinel

William C. "Bill" Killian had the right politics to snare the U.S. attorney's post for East Tennessee, but does he have the right stuff to lead federal prosecution efforts in 41 counties?

"I can assure you, I am no political figurehead," the 61-year-old Killian said in a recent interview. "I don't think politics solely gets you the job. It's a very political process, but once you get confirmed by the (U.S.) Senate and sworn in, you check your politics at the door.

"I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and I will do so," he continued. "There won't be political considerations in this office."

Killian, a longtime Democrat, was tapped by the Obama administration to take the helm of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee to replace Republican appointee Russ Dedrick, who retired this year.

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