In the last two years, State Attorney Angela Corey has basked in praise of some and been hit by criticism from others.
"That's a very polite way of putting it," Corey said with a chuckle after a reporter mentioned that last week.
During a 45-minute interview with the Times-Union last week, the first time she's sat down with the newspaper in several years, Corey was relaxed and happy to reminisce about her days as an assistant state attorney when the public knew her as a vocal victims advocate who successfully prosecuted multiple high-profile murders.
For now, Corey is at a good point.
The national criticism she got for her unsuccessful prosecution of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case in 2013 is fading.
Her decision to prosecute Michael Dunn for first-degree murder was validated when a jury agreed with her Oct. 1, guaranteeing that the 47-year-old Brevard County man will get life in prison for the murder of 17-year-old Jordan Davis.
For Corey, Dunn was a first-degree case, and she thinks some of her critics didn't understand the difference between first- and second-degree murder.
"Second-degree doesn't even require you have an intent to kill," said Corey, adding it was clear to her that Dunn intended to kill Davis when he shot at the teenager in their dispute over loud music on the day after Thanksgiving in 2012.
Corey said she doesn't feel the need to please everybody as long as cops and victims approve of what she's doing, but she admits being frustrated when she thinks critics are taking shots at her because they're ignorant of the law, or motivated by ulterior motives.
It's different from valid criticism, which she respects, Corey said.
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Angela Corey: Florida prosecutor reflects on high-profile cases