Arizona prosecutor to question Kavanaugh and his accuser at hearing

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Long-time sex crimes prosecutor Rachel Mitchell from Arizona will be questioning Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his first accuser on September 27.

Mitchell has tried hundreds of cases as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office over the last 26 years. She's the head of the sex crimes unit there.

"Very professional, fair, objective and she does have a heart for victims of crime," said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.

Montgomery is proud of Mitchell. She has a reputation for winning justice for sex crime victims.

On Thursday, her role will be different from what she's used to. Mitchell will be questioning Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford, the woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Her role will be to test the legitimacy of the sexual allegations.

"What are the facts here? Asking questions that will elicit facts and help people understand what's going on," said Montgomery.

Montgomery says being a sex crimes prosecutor is very difficult and weighs heavily on the minds of those tasked to sort through horrendous accounts of abuse.

"Because you're dealing with raw evil.. some of the things they see in prosecuting child abuse and exploitation and for someone to be able to do it for as long as Rachel has, it comes from a strong core... wanting to help those being victimized by others and the selfless service aspect of it," he said.

Mitchell is a registered Republican, but her peers say she will not politicize her line of questioning.

Montgomery describes Mitchell's prosecuting style as concise, straight to the point and focused on facts.