For example, former Harris County DA Pat Lykos, who escaped grand jury indictment once again.
More background is available by clicking the “HCDA” category. Also, Murray Newman has a few words to say.
Archive for the ‘HCDA’ Category
Some people have all the luck.
Friday, March 15th, 2013Random notes and obit watch: December 18, 2012.
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012Remember Pat Lykos, former Harris County DA, unceremoniously tossed from office in this past election cycle? Remember the whole BAT Van scandal? (If you don’t, the “HCDA” category” will provide you with a historical overview.)
Anyway, Amanda Culbertson and Jorge Wong, two of the people who brought up the problems with the BAT Vans, are suing Ms. Lykos, Rachel Palmer (another prosecutor in the DA’s office) and Harris County itself.
The NYT informs us that there hasn’t been a big hit book this holiday season. (Apparently, last year’s big hit was Steve Jobs
Obit watch: Senator Daniel K. Inouye.
Maurice Herzog, noted French climber.
Herzog died of natural causes at the age of 93.
A few election results that amuse me.
Wednesday, November 7th, 2012- The condoms for porno measure in LA County passed.
- The cities of El Monte and Richmond (in California) were considering ballot measures to tax “sugary drinks.” Those measures failed overwhelmingly.
- Colorado and Washington state have legalized marijuana. I’m looking forward to the first armed standoff between the DEA and the state police.
- Going back to Cali, voters also rejected an initiative that would have required labeling “genetically engineered foods”.
- I can’t find a link, but California voters also rejected abolition of the death penalty. They did, however, approve relaxing the “three strikes” law.
- Mike Anderson is the new Harris County DA, which makes Murray Newman happy.
- Ted…Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuz! (Hattip.)
Edited to add: Left out one significant result:
(Hattip: Sebastian.)
“You’re going down in flames, you tax-fattened hyena!” watch.
Wednesday, May 30th, 2012I thought I’d start a thread covering results of last night’s primaries. Specifically, the ones that amuse me.
To start (hattip Lawrence) Harris County DA Pat Lykos, who you may remember from such hits as the BAT vans and the grand jury investigation, lost the primary election to Mike Anderson.
(If you don’t remember Ms. Lykos and her antics, the “HCDA” tag will provide you with a summary.)
I am getting a slow start to the morning, so watch this space for possible updates as I wade through the coverage.
Edited to add: I did not know this, but the winner of the Democratic primary election for HCDA was “once indicted for illegal lawyering”. To which I say: Huh?
ETA2: “In 2010, he ran as a Democrat while under indictment for barratry, a charge that later was dropped.” Ah, barratry.
HCDA stuff.
Friday, February 17th, 2012I missed this last night: the Texas Rangers are asking for a special prosecutor to assist in their investigation of the Harris County District Attorney’s office.
I learned of the HouChron article by way of The Hon. Murray Newman, who points out this is the fourth special prosecutor appointed to investigate the HCDA’s office since October.
Also, just to make things a little easier, I added a “HCDA” sub-category to the law category, and edited posts appropriately. Now everything I’ve posted (AFAIK) related to the Harris County District Attorney’s office is in one place, for easy review. Just part of the full-service blogging experience here at WCD, no need to thank me.
On the DA Front…
Wednesday, February 15th, 2012DA Lykos says she asked the Rangers to investigate, and promised full cooperation.
More on this when we know more. Don’t hold your breath; you’ll just turn an unattractive shade of blue.
Stuff. And things.
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012Obit watch: noted British SF author John Christopher.
Here’s the latest I’ve been able to find in the HouChron on the Rangers/FBI/Harris County DA. It doesn’t add a whole lot to what was reported yesterday, alas.
Paul Farhi in the WP writes about press coverage of the Lance Armstrong probe, including his own paper’s coverage.
Weer’d beat me to this one, but: carry your damn guns, people.
Break 1-9, good buddy…
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012There isn’t a whole lot known at this point, but various news sources are reporting that the Texas Rangers and FBI are questioning staff members at the Harris County DA’s office.
Both the HouChron and KTRK are reporting that the questioning allegedly involves the DA’s investigation into the grand jury, and not the BAT vans that the grand jury was investigating.
More on this when we know more.
Eye the Jury.
Friday, February 3rd, 2012More 185th Grand Jury stuff:
Lykos and her defenders were claiming they didn’t do anything out of the ordinary; they were just Googling folks, which, after all, anyone can do.
Not quite. It seems that the Harris County DA’s investigator also used something called Accurint. Accurint is not a publicly accessible system; it is a service that the county pays for, and which requires that you certify a “permissible use” before obtaining information. Defense attorney Mark Bennett has more about Accurint over at his blog, “Defending People”, which I commend to your attention.
And, of course, The Hon. Murray Newman is on the case as well.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? and other random notes for February 2, 2012.
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012Obit watch: Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali’s corner man.
Mike Kelley, L.A. based visual artist. There’s also a well-done appreciation of his work at the A/V Club website.
And I’m a little late on this, but wanted to note it anyway: Ian Abercrombie.
In other news, the fun never stops with the Harris County District Attorney’s office. I missed the actual report (I can’t get Houston’s Channel 13 in Austin), but BlogHouston and The Hon. Murray Newman have links. In brief, DA Lykos basically admitted that, yes, she ordered investigators in her office to “research” (as she puts it; other people use the word “investigate”) members of the 185th Grand Jury, as well as the special prosecutors and the judges involved with the grand jury.
I don’t think I am overstating things to suggest that the HCDA’s office is starting to look positively Nixonian.
Rogue grand jury update.
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012The 185th Grand Jury – that would be the one investigating the Harris County DA’s office – ended their term today. (Previously: here, here, here, here, and here.)
And?
No indictments. But the grand jury is not pleased with the DA’s office:
The current Chron article is a bit short; I expect a longer version later today. Murray Newman had a good piece up this morning with his predictions; I would expect commentary from him once he’s had a chance to read and digest the grand jury report.
Edited to add: The Hon. Mr. Newman has the statement, and his thoughts, up over at his blog.
Edited to add 2/1: Longer story from the HouChron. Note the fine copy editing (which I hope will be fixed when you see it):
Notes and updates.
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012Jim Caldwell fired from the Colts. 26-22 over three seasons, 2-14 this year. I don’t think there was anybody who didn’t expect this.
Moving right along, Harris County DA Pat Lykos did testify today before the grand jury investigating her office and the BAT vans.
This is another story where there’s really not much to add beyond the basic fact that she did testify, and apparently did answer questions (as opposed to pleading the Fifth). But we note it here as part of the ongoing story.