Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry resigns amid prostate cancer fight

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry choked back tears Monday as he announced that he will step down from the office he's held since 2011.

"It's killing me to have to step down at this time," Curry said. "I love this office."

Staff from the prosecutor's office, law enforcement officers and the parents of slain Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer David Moore joined media members for Curry's announcement. The room erupted in applause as Curry entered the conference room.

Curry, 70, confessed to being nervous despite hundreds of media briefings he's held over the years. He then said he's been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer since 2015.

"Like a lot of men who have prostate cancer, what you hear from the medical professionals is you’re never going to be cured but there are various ways to manage this disease," Curry said, noting his treatments have changed in recent months.

“These last few months it has advanced somewhat," Curry said. "I am considered to have advanced prostate cancer and concluded it would be a perfect time (to resign).”

Curry, a Democrat, first took office Jan. 1, 2011, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018. 

Curry won his first election in 2010 promising to restore integrity to the office after what the Indiana Supreme Court's disciplinary arm called a "pattern of misconduct" involving two-term Republican Carl Brizzi.

His first major decision was refiling drunken driving charges against David Bisard, an IMPD officer who crashed a squad car into a group of motorcyclists on the northeast side. The Aug. 6, 2010, crash killed Eric Wells, 30, and severely injured Mary Mills and Kurt Weekly. Bisard was convicted in 2013.

Curry personally assisted his deputies in the case against a Marion County Sheriff's deputy who was caught on video beating a handcuffed prisoner. David "Matt" Carrico was found guilty in May 2014 of official misconduct, battery and false reporting charges.

He's used his high-profile office to advocate for universal background checks on guns and to urge Indiana to adopt a hate crimes law.

Curry has been an attorney for more than 30 years, including six years as a deputy prosecutor. He graduated from Butler University in 1971 and Indiana University's law school in 1978.

Curry is resigning, but he's not leaving the office. He said he will continue to work as a deputy prosecutor in the white-collar crimes unit.

Chief Trial Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Mears immediately takes over as acting prosecutor, under state law. A Marion County Democratic Party caucus must now meet within 30 days to choose a permanent successor.

Near the end of an emotional news conference, Curry drew laughs when he offered some advice to Mears: "Don't read the comments."

IndyStar reporter James Briggs contributed to this story.

Contact IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at 317-444-2701 or vic.ryckaert@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.