tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post2375851370454928161..comments2024-03-28T00:50:16.901-05:00Comments on Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center: The Race for Harris County District AttorneyMurray Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-84013151642118572042008-11-06T12:06:00.000-06:002008-11-06T12:06:00.000-06:00TxGoodie said..." I held my nose and voted for ...TxGoodie said...<BR/><BR/>" I held my nose and voted for her only because she ran as the Republican candidate."<BR/><BR/><BR/>Huh. You wouldn't happen to be one of the people in the more current post bemoaning the straight-ticket voting that ran many judges out of office, would you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-19114302270496772072008-11-05T14:54:00.000-06:002008-11-05T14:54:00.000-06:00Just to set the record straight, Mark, there were ...Just to set the record straight, Mark, there were MANY of us at the DA's office who supported Jim and prayed he would reign victorious... despite the intense pressure we were receiving to support Kelly. It was not an easy time for those who refused to drink the kool-aid. Some of us are still being shunned for that decision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-86729451531355041302008-11-05T11:11:00.000-06:002008-11-05T11:11:00.000-06:00"It is/was unfortunate that Jim Leitner did not re..."It is/was unfortunate that Jim Leitner did not receive the backing of the idiots at the Republican party. He was the best candidate on either side of the aisle. Ask members from both!"<BR/><BR/>Too bad the ADAs encouraged Jim to run, then threw him under the bus when Kelly decided to run. If Jim had sued to challenge Kelly's and Pat's places on the ballot (for untimely filings), Jim would be our next DA.<BR/><BR/>Pat Lykos will do okay; she appeals to the anarchist in me.Mark Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04128739833441582127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-64967032894988802282008-11-04T17:04:00.000-06:002008-11-04T17:04:00.000-06:00Frank Briscoe is the only DA I've ever really resp...Frank Briscoe is the only DA I've ever really respected.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/>Old Lawyer GuyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-43865885669964761222008-11-02T19:39:00.000-06:002008-11-02T19:39:00.000-06:00Let's see, even though I lean Democratic Bradford ...Let's see, even though I lean Democratic Bradford is definitely not the choice. This race is a classic example of voters probably not making an informed choice. From the outside it may look logical to elect a former police chief as DA. After all, aren't they on the same side in the public's mind? And that's where their analysis will end.<BR/><BR/>While he may be a nice guy, he has no idea how the DA's office should be run. The mission of HPD is not the same as the mission of the DA's office. Managerial skills aside, most people want bosses who have some idea what they do and how they do it. <BR/><BR/>Lykos is right. The office does need to be reformed. In my opinion the blind obsession with docket numbers needs to stop. A nice guy with no experience inside a courtroom can not be an effective reformer. Every decision his regime would make will be second guessed or accompanied by a sotto voce "He doesn't have a clue." After all, what does he know about being a prosecutor. <BR/><BR/>While there are some fine prosecutors, there are some who are not. If the lesser prosecutors are an example of the finest DA's office in the nation then I shudder to think what occurs elsewhere. <BR/><BR/>While Lykos may have a (well earned?) reputation, she does know what happens inside a courtroom and will be able to see through the BS she is being fed. If she is elected perhaps some of the more carefree prosecutors would realize that they have to shape up or hit the road.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-54572362732279610332008-10-31T20:12:00.000-05:002008-10-31T20:12:00.000-05:00I read Rick Casey's column today in the Chronicle ...I read Rick Casey's column today in the Chronicle about Lloyd Kelly's apparent fraudulent invoices. He brings up a very good point. The next DA may have to prosecute Lloyd Kelly. <BR/><BR/>I was an investigator with HPD's Public Integrity Review Group and Office of Inspector General for several years. <BR/><BR/>Considering the fact that Bradford tried to stop two of our investigations of Lloyd Kelly while Kelly was the City Controller, and the fact that Bradford...the Chief of Police...was overheard giving Lloyd Kelly...the subject of a criminal investigation..."updates" on our on-going investigation, I doubt very seriously that Bradford would allow the prosecution of Lloyd Kelly. <BR/><BR/>By the way, one of our investigations was in response to an allegation that Lloyd Kelly had misused city computers in the Controller's office. Bradford ordered us to stop the investigation, but we seized the computers anyway. <BR/><BR/>What did we find on those computers?<BR/><BR/>Besides a ton of pornography, we found documents that indicated a private law firm was being run out of the City Controller's office, using those city computers.<BR/><BR/>What was the name of that law firm?<BR/><BR/>Kelly and Bradford, LLC. <BR/><BR/>Yes, the same Lloyd Kelly that released Chuck Rosenthal's emails to the media and the same Clarence Bradford that recently declared he would investigate/prosecute Chuck Rosenthal for misusing the county computers. Bradford and Kelly had a law firm together and it appeared as though it was being run out of the City Controller's office. No wonder Bradford tried to cover it up.<BR/><BR/>More than a bit hypocritical don't you think?<BR/><BR/>In my opinion, Bradford is as corrupt as they come. And I think its a real tragedy that he's this close to becoming the next DA.<BR/><BR/>This is just a small example of what I saw first hand of Bradford's corruption. There's plenty more.<BR/><BR/>The sad thing is, the media has all of this. They practically beat down my door begging for an interview back at the first of the year...and they've since decided to sit on the story. Go figure.<BR/><BR/>I heard someone say the other day that true journalism is dead. Seems pretty accurate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-26828560534553155922008-10-29T13:47:00.000-05:002008-10-29T13:47:00.000-05:00Bradford is going to win. I've been around the DA...Bradford is going to win. I've been around the DA's office since the early 1970s. I thought Carol Vance was a great DA. He hired professional people and expected them to behave professionally. And, he always had a superstar to replace the superstar who was quitting. He had some clinkers, but he had some wonderful people. You only have to look at Columbus and Colorado County, where Ken Sparks, a Carol Vance alum, is county attorney. Don't get in trouble in Columbus because if you do, you're in REAL trouble.<BR/>Johnny Holmes was a friend but sometimes I thought he made the office too bureaucratic. On the other hand, with 200 lawyers working for you, you have to have rules.<BR/>Chuck, well, Chuck was Chuck. One former superstar in the DA's office once told me Chuck had only 51 cards in the deck and only 1 oar in the water. He was a disaster because he had no moral compass. The worst example was when he and another DA sent an undercover cop into the jail to tell a prisoner, "Hi. I'm your court appointed lawyer."<BR/>Between Pat, who I've known for many years and had more than a few drinks with, and C.O., I have to go with Pat. She's been in a courtroom and has a feel for what assistant DA's do for a living. And, while she can drive you mad sometimes, I think she will get rid of the bad DAs and identify the good ones. <BR/>But, she won't get the chance.<BR/>We need more prosecutors who worry about seeing that justice is done, not just about getting a conviction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-63622297416219454552008-10-29T13:41:00.000-05:002008-10-29T13:41:00.000-05:00I was raised a Republican and I think I'm still Re...I was raised a Republican and I think I'm still Republican when it comes to finances and national security.<BR/><BR/>But I think I'm pretty much a Democrat when it comes to social issues.Murray Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00662196272138109874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-63732138908159612772008-10-29T08:35:00.000-05:002008-10-29T08:35:00.000-05:00Well, you could always not cast a vote. That way ...Well, you could always not cast a vote. That way no matter what you can honestly say, "Well, I didn't vote for that clown."Ron in Houstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02496306119920809104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-81334025199703318342008-10-29T03:03:00.000-05:002008-10-29T03:03:00.000-05:00AHCL must be more of a Republican than he admits.AHCL must be more of a Republican than he admits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-65066582377982283412008-10-28T11:42:00.000-05:002008-10-28T11:42:00.000-05:00I have read this blog thoroughly 3 times to be sur...I have read this blog thoroughly 3 times to be sure what I read.<BR/><BR/>I know it was hard for you to write some of the things you did but it takes a bigger man to admit when he has been wrong.<BR/><BR/>I can't still agree with you regarding Kelly. She was part of the problem and would have continued some of the same issues that negate the dignity of the office.<BR/><BR/>It is/was unfortunate that Jim Leitner did not receive the backing of the idiots at the Republican party. He was the best candidate on either side of the aisle. Ask members from both!<BR/><BR/>If Lykos is elected, the first positive move she could make is hiring Leitner. That would be the beginning of restoring the office.<BR/><BR/>I hope that you remain in the office if you so choose (and coninue this blog).<BR/><BR/>May Tuesday be the best for all whatever that may be.<BR/><BR/>Again, thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-59034490736869181292008-10-28T10:40:00.000-05:002008-10-28T10:40:00.000-05:00Only Pat Lykos has the knowledge and experience to...Only Pat Lykos has the knowledge and experience to be Harris Co.'s next DA!! Whether Republican, Independent or Democrat - vote Pat Lykos!!<BR/><BR/>Vote Pat Lykos - www.patlykos.com - Vote Pat LykosAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-64475533691504118732008-10-28T08:55:00.000-05:002008-10-28T08:55:00.000-05:00Probably one of your best blogs yet.A few notes th...Probably one of your best blogs yet.<BR/><BR/>A few notes though - I am yet to talk to an HPD officer who served in the Bradford administration who liked him. Also, I have only heard one attorney (out of a sample of 50) say anything positive about Lykos.<BR/><BR/>I heard a RUMOR (capitalized for emphasis) that if Bradford is elected he will bring in a panel of defense attorneys to go through the current ADAs and determine who should stay or go. Which means, if you have ever crossed paths and got heated over a case you were passionate about-your job is now in jeopardy. Makes no sense to me at all.<BR/><BR/>The office is still 50 ADAs short of being fully staffed; a massive cut will only hurt the community and conviction rates will plummet. <BR/><BR/>Part of me hopes Ken will run in 2012, he did get us printers and disband the dress code committee (no one to yell at me about wearing hose anymore……)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566778230970156239.post-40174635250124591202008-10-28T08:31:00.000-05:002008-10-28T08:31:00.000-05:00I held my nose and voted for her only because she ...I held my nose and voted for her only because she ran as the Republican candidate. If she's half as bad as folks say she'll boot her own self out of office soon enough (right, Chuck?).<BR/><BR/> In times like these a voter has to do what a voter has to do and throw up later. It's tacky to hurl on the machine.TxGoodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13726454503329795079noreply@blogger.com