Tag Archives: District Attorney

Lehmberg civil trial this week

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I’d almost forgotten about this. Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg heads to court this week as a defendant in a civil trial that could result in her ouster from office. The trial, set to start Monday in Austin before … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Lehmberg civil trial this week

He’s baaaack

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I was at HCDP headquarters on Monday night, participating in a panel discussion hosted by the Texas Democratic Women of Harris County along with my friends Perry and Neil. On the back wall of the main room is a big … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Bradford calls for review of HPD oversight

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

He’s right that something needs to be done to ensure that people feel confident in the system. Houston City Councilman and former Police Chief C.O. “Brad” Bradford said citizens have lost faith in the city’s oversight of the use of … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bradford calls for review of HPD oversight

We need a Conviction Integrity Unit in Harris County

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the DMN: Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins has gained a national reputation for spearheading prisoner exonerations. As he prepares to seek a third term, Watkins said Thursday he wants to expand on that role and add a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Kim Ogg officially files for DA

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This is the marquee matchup in Harris County in November, at least so far. Kim Ogg, the only Democratic yet to announce a bid for Harris County district attorney, said Monday that most voters do not identify with a particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

From the “Judges Behaving Badly” files

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll start with now-former Judge Elizabeth Coker: An East Texas state district judge who had been accused of sending text messages to coach a prosecutor during a trial, being biased against some attorneys and improperly meeting with jurors has resigned … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The party-switchers of Bexar County

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Nice. A Bexar County judge elected during the “red tide” of 2010 is switching parties. Standing at the foot of the Bexar County Courthouse steps, County Court-at-Law No. 11 Judge Carlo Key said Monday he is joining the Democratic Party … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Moving the focus back to un-crowding the jails

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This is a positive development. Newly appointed Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson on Wednesday pledged to curb the increasing number of low-level felons being sentenced to serve misdemeanor time in the county jail rather than going to prison, known … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Moving the focus back to un-crowding the jails

Perry special prosecutor seeks to hire investigator

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Moving right along. The special prosecutor in an ongoing investigation into whether Gov. Rick Perry violated state law by vetoing funding for the Travis County ethics-enforcement unit is seeking to hire an investigator and researcher, the first public hint the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Perry special prosecutor seeks to hire investigator

Whitmire weighs in on Harris jail population

Posted on October 5, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

State Sen. John Whitmire has pushed back on some of the explanations given for the recent uptick in the Harris County jail population, beginning with the claim that it’s due to state jails taking longer than usual to pick up … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More on Kim Ogg

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the full Chron story about Kim Ogg’s declaration that she will run for Harris County DA as a Democrat in 2014. “I have the varied experience in policy, in prevention and in prosecution that I think gives me a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Kim Ogg to run for DA

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

That didn’t take long. Kim Ogg, a former prosecutor, anti-gang investigator and crime prevention leader, told supporters Saturday that she will run for Harris County district attorney. In an email, Ogg said she would announce Monday that she would run … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Devon Anderson named interim DA

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

We’d been waiting for an announcement about this. Devon Anderson, the widow of recently deceased Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson, was appointed Tuesday to serve out her late husband’s unexpired term. Gov. Rick Perry announced Tuesday that Anderson, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Devon Anderson named interim DA

Hall’s five point crimefighting plan

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Houstonians do not feel safe in their homes and their communities. Houston’s crime numbers remain dangerously high and criminals are victimizing us daily. The only thing we hear from the Mayor’s office on this issue is silence. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2013 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Grand jury convening in Perry/Lehmberg veto threat case

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Can’t wait to see how this turns out. A visiting state district judge began convening a special grand jury Wednesday to consider two possible criminal cases stemming from the April drunken driving arrest of Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

More tributes for Mike Anderson

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the full Chron story on the death of Harris County DA Mike Anderson. “We all have suffered a terrible loss today of a devoted public servant, husband and father,” first assistant Belinda Hill said in a statement from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on More tributes for Mike Anderson

RIP, Mike Anderson

Posted on August 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Very sad. Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson, who announced in May that he had cancer, died Friday, sources said. The Texas District & County Attorneys Association on Saturday posted the news on Twitter: “We have just learned that Harris … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Special prosecutor to be appointed in Perry/Lehmberg veto case

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Moving forward. A San Antonio senior state district judge confirmed Thursday that he will name a special prosecutor to investigate possible charges of coercion and abuse of official capacity against Gov. Rick Perry. Judge Robert “Bert” Richardson said he expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Special prosecutor to be appointed in Perry/Lehmberg veto case

DUI and blood testing

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Not sure what I think about this. A decision by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to demand blood tests for every drunken-driving suspect who refuses breath tests has drawn an unusual opponent: Houston police officers. “We’re just very concerned … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on DUI and blood testing

Judge assigned in complaint about Perry veto of Public Integrity Unit

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Moving along slowly. A San Antonio judge on Tuesday was assigned to hear a complaint that alleges Gov. Rick Perry committed coercion, bribery and official oppression by vetoing funding for the Travis County District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit. Senior Judge … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Public Integrity Unit employees get layoff notices

Posted on July 6, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

What is to come if nothing changes. Travis County commissioners are still holding out hope the state will fund the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit, but took an early step to let employees know their jobs are on the line. … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No override of Public Integrity Unit funding veto

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Alas. A legislative move to restore state funding for the ethics-enforcing Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County district attorney’s office died Friday afternoon. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, said no vote is expected on House Concurrent Resolution … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on No override of Public Integrity Unit funding veto

Turner seeks a way to get around Public Integrity Unit de-funding

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Sylvester Turner takes aim at one of Perry’s vetoes. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, said he would propose a House Concurrent Resolution advocating restoration of funding for the Public Integrity Unit of the Travis County district attorney’s office, which was … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Perry goes on a veto spree

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the full list. Among the victims are the omnibus ethics bill HB217, thus giving Allen Blakemore his fondest wish; two bills aimed at reducing the number of standardized tests some students must take, one of which will make William … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

TPJ alleges Perry broke the law when he threatened to veto Public Integrity funds

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Well, now isn’t this a nice little can of worms. In a complaint sent to prosecutors today, Texans for Public Justice alleges that Governor Rick Perry potentially committed several criminal offenses related to his recent threat to use his discretionary … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Perry will veto Integrity Unit funds unless Lehmberg resigns

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This could be checkmate for Rosemary Lehmberg. Gov. Rick Perry will veto financing for the public integrity unit — the state’s ethics enforcement division — unless embattled Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg resigns, an official close to the governor … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Another petition filed against Lehmberg

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The filer is a former colleague as well as a former opponent of Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg. Rick Reed, who ran against Lehmberg in 2008 and is now a defense attorney in Austin, filed the petition with the district … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Another petition filed against Lehmberg

Mike Anderson reveals that he has cancer

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Very sorry to hear this. Mike Anderson, Harris County’s district attorney, informed his staff Thursday that he has been diagnosed with cancer. “I have great doctors and am undergoing treatment. I fully intend to beat this,” said a brief email … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Reed for AG?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This is one of the stranger “draft somebody” movements I’ve seen. A movement has been building among local Republicans over the past few months to encourage Susan Reed to run for state attorney general in 2014. Reed, the hard-nosed, four-term … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Reed for AG?

Lehmberg out of jail

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Her incarceration may be over, but Rosemary Lehmberg’s problems are far from it. Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg was released from jail early Thursday after serving half of a 45-day jail sentence for pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What to do with a problem like Rosemary?

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Austin Chronicle has a great overview of the Rosemary Lehmberg situation. All speculation aside, Lehmberg has vowed that she will not resign. In a letter to Travis County residents (apparently dictated to friends from jail and posted to her … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend legislative threefer

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

That sound you heard on Friday was Rick Perry stamping his feet if he doesn’t get his way. Gov. Rick Perry is warning state legislators that it could be a long, hot summer in Austin if they don’t pass his … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Who resigns after a DUI arrest?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Statesman asks the question and gets some answers. In 2006, District Attorney Tim Cole had a decision to make. The then-chief prosecutor for Montague, Clay and Archer counties had been arrested for drunken driving after a day of July … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lehmberg pleads guilty, gets 45 days

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Off she goes. District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg has pleaded guilty to drunken driving, was sentenced to 45 days in jail and immediately taken into custody. Lehmberg’s blood alcohol level registered at 0.23 when she was arrested April 13, her attorney … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments