January 9, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – Hampden County District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni visited an eighth-grade classroom at Legacy Academy in Springfield on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, as part of the Office’s ongoing Adopt-A-Class initiative, an outreach program designed to engage students in meaningful conversations about the justice system, civic responsibility, and public service.

During the visit, District Attorney Gulluni spoke with students about his career path, the role of the District Attorney’s Office, and the importance of integrity and accountability in the justice system. The room fell completely silent as he discussed the case of Lisa Ziegert, a decades-old murder of the promising young woman that was ultimately solved through the tireless efforts of investigators and prosecutors, underscoring for students both the complexity of major cases and the persistence required to achieve justice. 

Students were highly engaged throughout the discussion, asking thoughtful questions about the District Attorney’s education, career, and daily responsibilities. One particularly memorable moment came when the class president asked a question Gulluni said he had never been asked before, “What is your greatest fear when it comes to your job?”

Gulluni responded candidly, explaining that his greatest fear is disappointing victims’ families or letting them down. He shared that he works closely with families throughout major cases and relies on a team of dedicated and highly skilled professionals, but that the responsibility to honor victims and their loved ones weighs heavily.

Gulluni explained, “These families place an incredible amount of trust in us during the worst moments of their lives. We work every day to earn that trust and to pursue justice with the care, dedication, and integrity they deserve.”

This visit marked the first of four planned touchpoints with the eighth-grade class at Legacy Academy. Next will come a civics lesson, a mock trial, and finally a trip for students to the Hampden County Hall of Justice as invited guests of the District Attorney.

The Adopt-A-Class program allows the District Attorney’s Office to build sustained relationships with local classrooms, giving students direct access to conversations about law, leadership, and public service while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and civic engagement.

For more information about the Adopt-A-Class program or other community outreach initiatives, please contact the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office.