tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post1948238869079649300..comments2024-03-28T00:50:16.901-05:00Comments on Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center: A New Grand Jury ScandalMurray Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-217555146147973912012-01-09T21:45:14.426-06:002012-01-09T21:45:14.426-06:00Here is a link to a January 9, 2012 article by the...Here is a link to a January 9, 2012 article by the Chronicle on this situation:<br /><br />http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Grand-jury-technicality-could-have-freed-felons-2452046.phpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-88609595817570815752012-01-07T09:44:47.861-06:002012-01-07T09:44:47.861-06:00If Judge Bradley holds her Grand Jury over she wil...If Judge Bradley holds her Grand Jury over she will be giving the citizens of Harris County a benefit theat they will never truly understand. I have no idea of her opinion of our leader but I'm sure they won't appreciate how much of a favor she is doing them either. And even if they understand they of course will not show it. Judge Bradley is showing just how worthy she is of her position.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-12041906521479945362012-01-06T22:19:33.939-06:002012-01-06T22:19:33.939-06:00If the Chronicle can't spin the story in Lykos...If the Chronicle can't spin the story in Lykos' favor, they simply don't report the story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-31254145622124545912012-01-06T18:29:50.213-06:002012-01-06T18:29:50.213-06:00News from the bunker:
Item 1: Judges decided the...News from the bunker: <br />Item 1: Judges decided they would disband grand juries on December 15th. By at least December 21st, 6th floor was informed of this. They took no action and made no communication to the troops until January 5th. <br />Item 2: Judge Bradley has decided to keep her grand jury intact. Leitner informed specialty divisions of this development this morning. However, no guidance has been sent to the trial bureau, where the vast majority of cases are handled.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-87728902281579213472012-01-06T17:37:13.779-06:002012-01-06T17:37:13.779-06:00From May 2010
http://www.khou.com/home/harris_cou...From May 2010<br /><br />http://www.khou.com/home/harris_county_grand_juries_reject_increasing_number_of_criminal_cases-93376954.htmlMark W Stephensnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-37974604154343435262012-01-06T17:35:41.420-06:002012-01-06T17:35:41.420-06:00Guess this is just too difficult for the Chronicle...Guess this is just too difficult for the Chronicle to spin for Lykos.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-15319347781139215402012-01-06T14:23:20.580-06:002012-01-06T14:23:20.580-06:00can someone please run against Roger Bridgwater? I...can someone please run against Roger Bridgwater? I'll help collect petitions and contribute toward the filing fee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-52985090310393958592012-01-06T13:50:11.924-06:002012-01-06T13:50:11.924-06:00Since there are those who are defending the HCDAO ...Since there are those who are defending the HCDAO and TDCAA 's patently dilatory response to the application of HB79 I would merely point out that these entities had only(sic) 165 days to come up with a solution, the bill having been signed by Perry on 7/19/11. Perhaps if the bill had been passed in the regular session a cogent solution would have been available with the additional days. More disturbing though is the apparent suggestion that the HCDAO was in some wise relying upon TDCAA to take the lead on the subject instead of relying upon its in house attorneys. One suspects that this was Lykos' way of directing the blame elsewhere if the decision was incorrect.<br />Calvin A. HartmannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-62037156671961112032012-01-06T11:36:24.376-06:002012-01-06T11:36:24.376-06:00Can we all agree on just on thing?
Lykos is spell...Can we all agree on just on thing?<br /><br />Lykos is spelled L-Y-K-O-S.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-15676679975756202692012-01-06T10:38:04.850-06:002012-01-06T10:38:04.850-06:00Anon 9:03; That is an awesome analogy… and not to...Anon 9:03; That is an awesome analogy… and not to distract from #1 thru #13, I would like to add #14 for your consideration? <br /><br />14. Hiring 3 taxidermies to stuff it and display it to appear life-like while marketing it as the next triple crown winner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-41778621066295933062012-01-06T09:03:27.560-06:002012-01-06T09:03:27.560-06:00The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on...The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that; “When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, best strategy is to dismount."<br /><br />However, in the DA's Office more ADVANCED strategies are often employed, such as:<br /><br />1. Buying a stronger (and more expensive) whip.<br /><br />2. Changing riders.<br /><br />3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.<br /><br />4. Arranging two trips to other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.<br /><br />5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.<br /><br />6. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.<br /><br />7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.<br /><br />8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase efficiency.<br /><br />9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase dead horse's performance.<br /><br />10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.<br /><br />11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overhead and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some live horses.<br /><br />12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.<br /><br />And of course...<br /><br />13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position.<br /><br /><br />If you don't understand the stupidity in this reasoning, you probably are happy with the way the DA's Office is being run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-75206267208560328062012-01-06T07:49:57.182-06:002012-01-06T07:49:57.182-06:00Regardless of who is at fault, the reality is that...Regardless of who is at fault, the reality is that this was allowed to happen period.<br />This problem hightlights once again the poor leadership of PL. A true leader should have anticipated that there could be a little chaos and prepared her troops for that reality. A simple email from her or Jim boy would have covered it. Instead Lycos is to busy covering her own tail and dodging the media.. <br /><br />Anon 8:38<br />I don't envy the position you are in. It is damned if you do and damned if you don't. It says much about your character that you are apologizing basically to the citizens for all of the wrongs of this admin. You hang in there, things will get better. There are many citizens aware of the juvenile games of the 6th floor. You are not alone in this nightmare. Thank you for the job you do. You are vitally important to the safety of the citizen of HC. We appreciate your efforts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-15540236967914541632012-01-06T07:38:39.540-06:002012-01-06T07:38:39.540-06:00Murray,
The DA's office no longer controls th...Murray,<br /><br />The DA's office no longer controls the entire justice system which maybe has made the system a little more just as Mr.Ryan points out. When you reach too far and blame the 6th floor for things they should not control you lose credibility and look like a fired prosecutor with an ax to grind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-70688978032212857612012-01-06T04:00:54.923-06:002012-01-06T04:00:54.923-06:00Calvin hits the nail on the head. During the Holme...Calvin hits the nail on the head. During the Holmes administration I had to participate in an anticipated change of law. The DA's office took the lead in clarifying the change and it's affect. But then Holmes was a leader and Lykos hides.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-23809267292982591502012-01-06T03:09:04.497-06:002012-01-06T03:09:04.497-06:00Lykos advised the bureau chiefs not to do anything...Lykos advised the bureau chiefs not to do anything pro-active many months ago. Didn't want any snafu's that might make her look bad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-56390753066553819312012-01-06T01:46:48.011-06:002012-01-06T01:46:48.011-06:00Dear Murray, It is so sad when you go to sleep/do ...Dear Murray, It is so sad when you go to sleep/do whatever you do, and we have to wait for new comments. I am addicted to this site. Seriously, can you put the last comments first so I don't waste as much time scrolling to the end? And to Dude (making an assumption, but I am sure that I am right), there are way more than ADAs who religiously monitor/comment on this blog. There are a lot of Harris County employees who work for elected officials who cannot/should not have public opinions. Do not think that we are spineless people. Do not think that the Criminal Courthouse is the only audience. And do not think that anonymous county employees don't know lots of people. They have had interactions for many years with all parties involved and they have definite opinions. Their friends always want their opinions on who to vote for. (Can't end w/o preposition, sorry. Won't do "on whom for to vote.) They don't like people who cast aspersions for no reason on dedicated public servants with proven results who aren't involved in this fight. Especially when they are acquainted with and like the people against whom the aspersions are cast. I hope that you honestly know who your friends are because it seems that not only are 10 law enforcement unions against the current administration in the DAs office, a large segment of the Harris County employees are not happy with the direction that the office has taken under Lykos. Are you going to say that we are all whiny babies when we don't even work there??? We just see every day the way that the office has become an embarrassment to Harris County. The Andersons are wonderful people who have many fans in the County. But, we will see that on primary day. And the Dude who said that Mike looks horribly aged, and like Devon's father (can't attack her, can you?) should do some market research with +60 Republican women who vote. They think that he is looking pretty good!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-26258123017620225432012-01-05T23:08:51.898-06:002012-01-05T23:08:51.898-06:00With all due respect to TDCAA of which I was a mem...With all due respect to TDCAA of which I was a member and a contributor for many years, the forum to which reference apparently was made by a contributor to this blog is scarely a compendium of law dealing with the application of HB 79. It appears to be composed of FAQ, several questions of which appeared to have originated from Harris County. It would seem to me that because of the importance of the issue that there would have developed a bit more analysis/agreement amongst the prosecuting offices and the affected judiciary of the counties impacted by HB 79. Clearly there was no such leadership exerted by the Harris County District Attorney's Office vis-a-vis the issue. I guarantee under Holmes there would have been no snafu as now nor the current wondering in the wilderness. When we had a questionable change in the law that could have significant impact on prosecutions we would even seek expedited construction of those laws in the appellate courts. Competent prosecutors are pro-active.<br />Calvin A. HartmannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-77742883901303828042012-01-05T23:07:44.140-06:002012-01-05T23:07:44.140-06:00With respect, TDCAA was still wrestling with the s...With respect, TDCAA was still wrestling with the subject until December 21, 2011 (on December 20, 2011, TDCAA admitted its prior opinions were wrong)... 10 days before the year ended and, in practical terms, 6 days (or less) in the business year. By the time TDCAA had cohesive and correct advice, the grand juries were on holiday vacation or discharged.<br /><br />This also seems to be a bit of Chicken Little. No one has yet been released from custody for failure to indict within 90 days. Unless and until it happens, and that person is accused of committing an egregious crime while on bond or fails to appear for trial, this is much ado about nothing.<br /><br />The call for HCDAO to take on judicial responsibilities, or dictate actions to the judiciary, is troubling. There used to be extremely close cooperation between HCDAO and the judiciary. Most in the defense bar do not recall those times as halcyon days, and do not want its return.<br /><br />The problem here lies squarely with the judges, no matter the benefit (real or perceived) to the current adminstration.David Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18040068899984409414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-88339614015171264552012-01-05T22:42:14.444-06:002012-01-05T22:42:14.444-06:00Ha! It took Jimmy until Jan 5 to figure out there...Ha! It took Jimmy until Jan 5 to figure out there were no grand juries. Classic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-61907082280584522742012-01-05T22:37:46.421-06:002012-01-05T22:37:46.421-06:00So what did the DA's expect? They were aware ...So what did the DA's expect? They were aware of the statutory change. Then they quietly put out in house that Grand Juries were ending 12-31. That word gets to the courts. The Judges out of an abundance of caution decide to empannel new grand juries in January. I heard a judge talking to the court prosecutors about this in mid December. Then the DA's office changes their mind about the new law after they find out that the TWO grand juries investigating the office have been extended by written order so those TWO grand juries wouldn't die quietly on 12-31. Then they act like the 12-31 statutory change was a news flash that they never heard before yesterday!<br /><br />Wow! Did the new media people come up with that spin? Jeez talk about conspiracies!<br /><br />More like a confederacy of dunces! The blame rests squarely on six. Is anybody surprised that they are not taking the blame for this? Sounds like a setup so they can take some recent media heat off the office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-26060161517900789382012-01-05T22:33:15.043-06:002012-01-05T22:33:15.043-06:00Channel 11 just reported Lykos has been subpoenaed...Channel 11 just reported Lykos has been subpoenaed to appear before "a controversial...pollitically charged...Grand Jury."Mark W. Stephensnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-53853563365823243882012-01-05T22:00:08.272-06:002012-01-05T22:00:08.272-06:00America - Fuck ya!America - Fuck ya!T. Parkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-3885723411610754442012-01-05T21:56:49.287-06:002012-01-05T21:56:49.287-06:00So the judges are saying the grand juries are fine...So the judges are saying the grand juries are fine but the DAs won't present any new cases? I remember The discussion of the grand jury terms awhile back so it is impossible for this to be a surprise to anyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-15228339896194799632012-01-05T21:53:29.985-06:002012-01-05T21:53:29.985-06:00You can be assured of one thing, Lykos will blame ...You can be assured of one thing, Lykos will blame someone either on her staff or that of the Judges for this can of worms. She will not take any personal responsibility for not attending to the problems. <br /><br />It is an absolute fact that she and Leitner had hoped that by maintaining a low-profile with regard to the Grand Jury losing its authority on 12/31/11, that her problems with the 185th and the 232nd would just go away. Their position contributed to this fiasco.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-9947483596839280102012-01-05T21:47:31.539-06:002012-01-05T21:47:31.539-06:00I agree with Calvin, that the onus is on the Distr...I agree with Calvin, that the onus is on the District Attorney's Office to make sure that the Grand Juries are empaneled. I think it's interesting that Lykos' only "qualification" to be the DA is that she was a District Court Judge. With her experience as a Judge, she really should have been leading the charge to challenge the sitting judges to get it done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com