Watkins out as Fort Smith prosecutor; alleges racism involved

The City of Fort Smith is once again looking for a city prosecuting attorney. Rita Watkins began as the city prosecutor for the city on Oct. 31, 2022. On July 18, Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken confirmed that Watkins was no longer the city prosecutor.

“We wish her the best of luck as she moves on to larger and greater things,” Geffken said but disclosed no details as to why she was no longer the city prosecutor.

Geffken said Monday (July 22) he was contacting local attorneys to ask if they will be willing to serve as an interim city prosecutor until a permanent replacement can be hired.

Though she did not say anything specific or say that she was referring to her city position, Watkins made a Facebook post July 17, the day it was first learned she was not the city prosecutor, that alluded to an unpleasant event.

“It was just a matter of time. Not sure why I thought these folks were going to let me be great. I was leaving anyway, not sure what was the point of tarnishing my career. I will succeed. A racist will always be a racist. The road has never been easy, but some of y’all may want to tuck in that hood. Fired up! It’s on!,” the post said.

Watkins could not be reached for comment.

Geffken said he would need to speak with Watkins to understand what the post referenced before making a comment.

Watkins was hired to fill the position that was vacated when former prosecutor Sam Terry was appointed by then Gov. Asa Hutchinson to serve as District Court Judge in Sebastian County’s Fort Smith District.

Terry was appointed to fill the vacated term of the now late Sebastian County Circuit Judge Claire Borengasser who retired June 1, 2022. Following that appointment, the city worked with Ashleigh and William Buckley with the Buckley Law Firm to manage city prosecutor work until Watkins was hired, according to Geffken.

Terry began his work as the city prosecutor Jan. 4, 2021, filling a vacancy created when John Settle, who served as the city’s prosecuting attorney for 11 years, died in 2019.

A native of Fort Smith, Watkins is a graduate of Northside High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oregon State University in Corvalis, Ore., and a law degree from Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Va.

Prior to becoming the city attorney, Watkins served as a deputy public defender in Sebastian County since January 2005.