Dist. Atty.-elect Charles Branson has sent a letter to attorneys and staff members in outgoing Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney’s office giving them a Dec. 1 deadline to apply to keep their jobs.

Branson is asking them to submit a resume, description of their job duties, suggestions for change, and an explanation of their goals and desires if they worked for him.

He said he sent the letter because he wanted to ease rumors about his plans for the office and let employees know he hadn’t decided anything about staffing.

“We want to know if they want to stay there,” Branson said. “I would assume there’s going to be some people that don’t want to stay there. … We’re going to evaluate every position.”

Some staffers polled Wednesday said they hadn’t made up their minds. Others have.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Shelley Diehl, for example, who has more than 13 years’ experience in the office, said she was leaving.

But Assistant Dist. Atty. Angela Wilson, who is familiar with the slaying investigation involving 40-year-old Carmin D. Ross, said she planned to apply.

“I want to continue to be a prosecutor,” she said. “I want to continue to serve the people of Douglas County and the victims and families I’ve been serving the past six years.”

6News video: Incoming DA in process of planning new office Democrat unseats D.A. of 8 years (11-03-04) Democrat unseats D.A. of 8 years (11-03-04) Transcript of chat with Charles Branson, Democrat for district attorney (10-22-04) Transcript of chat with Douglas County Dist. Atty. Christine Kenney, Republican (10-21-04) More in Election 2004

All 23 employees in the office will serve at Branson’s discretion and do not have protection under the county’s personnel policies.

Branson, a Democrat, is a private-practice attorney and part-time Eudora city prosecutor. He defeated the Republican Kenney, who hadn’t been challenged since she took office in 1996.

A Republican had held the office continuously since 1985.