Bart Menser hasn't stood before a jury in 15 years. The 62-year-old veteran prosecutor has spent most of those years behind a desk as the second-in-command at Mecklenburg's District Attorney's Office.

But during most of the past week, Menser has been in Courtroom 5370 where he and Assistant District Attorney Gabrielle Macon have been presenting evidence in a murder trial.

Menser's appearance in court is his boss's idea. Mecklenburg District Attorney Andrew Murray wants everyone on his leadership team to have some recent trial experience.

"I want all my prosecutors to be trial lawyers," Murray told the Observer. "I want the supervisors in the DA's office to lead by example. They need to be in court if they're going to evaluate our prosecutors. My team leaders have to show that they, too, have the skills and ability to work in the courtroom."

Assistant District Attorney Jeff Davis, who heads the team of prosecutors that handles rapes, robberies and assaults, hasn't tried a case since 2008. He's looking forward to the legal battles of a trial in the next few months.

"I feel a little out of practice," Davis said. "I need to polish my skills in the courtroom."

Menser had some jitters while preparing for the murder trial.

"It's been so long since I've been in a trial, I have to admit I'm very nervous," he said. "But I think any prosecutor getting ready to go to trial is a little bit nervous no matter how much experience they've got."

Menser thinks the move is a good one.

"Going to trial will give me and everyone on Andrew's leadership team an opportunity to understand first-hand what all our prosecutors have to do to prepare for trial and what they face in the courtroom," Menser said.

"This is just another way Andrew has energized this office."

Menser and Macon won the jury trial. Victor Cruz Garcia, 25, was accused of fatally stabbing his 31-year-old girlfriend in June 2009. He claimed the killing was self-defense. A gun was found next to Yennifer Fuentes's body.

After deliberating about two hours, a jury convicted Garcia of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 11 to 14 years in prison.

Defense attorney Bob Trobich praised Menser's work in the courtroom.

"I thought Bart did a solid job," Trobich said. "He was prepared. He was thorough."

Assistant District Attorney Bill Stetzer, who heads the team of homicide prosecutors, said: "Bart demonstrated that even after all these years, he can still connect with a jury and help convict a murderer."