Robert Horan Jr., the former Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney who oversaw some of the highest profile criminal cases in Virginia’s largest county for 40 years, died at age 90 on Friday, The Washington Post reports.
Horan’s death was confirmed to the Post by his wife of 65 years, Monica Horan.
During his illustrious and respected career, Horan prosecuted hundreds of cases, including those of D.C. Sniper Lee Malvo and serial killer Alfredo Prieto.
Horan also got a death penalty conviction for Mir Aimal Kansi, for shooting CIA employees at a stoplight outside of CIA headquarters.
When he retired in 2007, Horan had been the longest-serving Commonwealth’s Attorney in the state, and when the National District Attorney’s Association created a lifetime achievement award in 2003, Horan was its first recipient.
“Robert Horan prosecuted many of the largest cases I’ve ever covered. He was talented, tough, funny,” WTOP reporter Neal Augenstein tweeted.
Augenstein said Horan usually sat by himself at the prosecution table with no assistant prosecutors and just a notepad.
Former Prince William County prosecutor Paul Ebert, a longtime friend and colleague of Horan’s, told The Washington Post that Horan was “the best trial lawyer” he ever saw.
Horan is survived by his wife and three sons.