One of the sillier Houston Chronicle editorials was in today's edition entitled, "Laurels for Lykos". It is a bit cozy and odd, to say the very least. The piece goes as far as to say, "It's hard to imagine Lykos' predecessor, Chuck Rosenthal, concerning himself about such an issue (the issue referenced being the suicide of Asher Brown, age 13). The DA's office has certainly changed, and for the better..........a DA can be both compassionate and tough".
Rosenthal may be a selfish uncaring individual on many levels; but he was never elected to be the District Psychiatrist or Social Worker of Harris County...........neither was Lykos, her political pursuit of suicide etiology notwithstanding. The only criminal act was carried out by the the dead boy........have you no shame Pat Lykos?
"Capitalizing on Children's Coffins Instead of Character", would have been a more appropriate editorial headline to describe Lykos.
The editorial goes on to praise Lykos for restoring integrity at the DA's office by establishing a post conviction review board, taking on the role of police when the Houston Police Department fails and for her sensitivity to the issues of the mentally ill in the criminal justice system.
As an aside, it seems the Chronicle failed to recognize Lykos' in house petting zoo and her new hardwood floors and gilded "chairs in waiting".......after all, appearances are everything in the Houston Chronicle Protector's Office.
What EXACTLY does the HOUSTON CHRONICLE think the job description of the HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE entails?
The "CHANGE yes we can of Pat Lykos" is as unfounded as her national mentor, Obama.
The DA's job is to PROSECUTE criminals.....ALL of them; even the clever crooks.
Why should a DA's office only accept charges on the "average" sloppy and/or stupid suspects?
It appears that today in Harris County, if a crook reasonably covers his tracks or his IQ is low enough, his behavior is excused and he is free to prey on Houston's gentler kinder society.
Is that the kind of change our society yearns for?
A DA's role is to do a thorough job at the onset; not focus on being a division for a criminal defense appellate firm.
It is NOT the DA's responsibility to serve as a suicide intervention agency.
It is NOT the role of DA to establish a crime lab.
It is NOT the role of DA to to run the mental health department for the state of Texas.
It is NOT the role of DA to establish immigration policies or otherwise rewrite legislation.
It is Not the role of DA to abolish the death sentence.
The Houston Chronicle is so intent on having a Public Defenders Office they are transforming the DA's office into that very entity.
Maybe the Houston Chronicle will report next on how Lykos will fight the war in Afghanistan....that would be equally ridiculous.
So how is Pat Lykos really performing at her actual j-o-b as DA?
1. How is her leadership affecting the prosecution of criminals in Harris County and making the rest of us safer?
2. What are the prosecution stats on violent crime in Harris County?
3. What's going on at intake and has the murder rate really dropped off; or are charges just not being accepted? I suspect the medical examiner and the DA are on different pages.
4. Who is going to trial these days?
5. What are the plea deal parameters?
6. Are any NEW Death Capitals ever going to be tried under the Lykos/Cohen watch?
7. What's the morale like today among the ADAs and support staff ?
8. What do law enforcement and other DA offices think about the Lykos DA's office?
9. What role does merit play in promotions, position or pay grade?
10. How is the DA handling the tough cases that require obsessive preparation and excellent trial skills?
Is the best way to ease jail over crowding and prevent prosecution of innocent defendants to simply try only the really dumb crooks?
Here's a hypo: An attorney, well versed in criminal law, tires of his wife. Rather than pursue a messy and EXPENSIVE divorce proceeding, he instead decides to terminate his wife. He tells his mistress, "if only my evil wife were dead we could be together always etc. etc.". The attorney husband selects a mistress he knows to be malleable to this suggestion and one who will carry out his wishes. The husband reviews ways the killing could be accomplished if, "only they knew a shooter". The actual shooter never meets or even speaks to the unhappily married attorney. The mistress finds several shooters, albeit with bad aim.The deed is attempted and botched. The girlfriend flips on her paramour after hubby and "evil wife" reconcile. Does Lykos take charges or stand down?
Barack Obama, Pat Lykos, and the mainstream media have a similar philosophy of "CHANGE".................but the real change that's needed is them.
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16 comments:
Patsy investigating a clear cut suicide is ethical so long as the media approves. She will have to rewrite the penal code to prosecute the bullies and given her history that ain't a big deal.
Everything...everything Patsy does or says publically is self promotion. Everything...everything she does or says within the office is intended to intimidate and demonstrate her power. I'm sure the DSM IV has a label for this.
Black,
You and Jigmeister are idiots. Being DA has nothing to do with right and wrong and everything to do with public perception. Judge Pat is the master of perception deception and you 2 are the masters of idealism. You and your kind will never win an election so shut the F up.
Maybe your right Anon: All those who think the DA's job calls for integrity, and that the office be administered rationally by qualified people should shut the F up and hide under a rock because nothing can be done anyway. Just let the slimy politicos say or do whatever they want without calling them on it while they screw all your old friends and new idealistic kids in the trenches. All honest folk should just burn their voter registration cards.
But, you are right to a point. I often feel that it's hopeless. Can't stop caring though. Lykos' public rhetoric is really compassion hypocracy. Just sorry to see that the destruction of the office that Rosenthal started, she is intent on finishing.
Jigmeister,
Keep up the good fight for it is those who choose to "shut the F up" who are the reason the old office is in the shape it's in.
Saber rattling has awoken a reluctant warrior.
Our breakfast club is actively pursuing an individual with phenominal credentials. So for all the nay sayers.......we may just have our dream candidate after all.
Judge Pat is not qualified to be a social worker. She is neither social nor works.
Who's talking to Mike Anderson. He should be the next Harris County DA--he'll take the politics right back out of the job and restore it to the rightful position of criminal justice administrator.
Answers from a current prosecutor:
1. How is her leadership affecting the prosecution of criminals in Harris County and making the rest of us safer? She has no leadership qualities. She often contradicts herself on decisions she makes and leaves her staff not knowing what to do.
2. What are the prosecution stats on violent crime in Harris County? Good luck getting a straight answer on this one from the 6th floor.
3. What's going on at intake and has the murder rate really dropped off; or are charges just not being accepted? I suspect the medical examiner and the DA are on different pages. Excellent point. From personal experience, fewer murders are going through intake and many more are being referred for direct to grand jury or through the major offenders division.
4. Who is going to trial these days? As in ADA's or Judges? I only know of a few of the ADA's that are trial dodgers, most WANT to go to trial. As for Judges, Fine and Maria Jackson don't ever go; it's a miracle if they even show up for work. State Jail court goes all the time and Shawna Reagin is a trial star.
5. What are the plea deal parameters? Who knows, depends on what article you read in the chronicle.
6. Are any NEW Death Capitals ever going to be tried under the Lykos/Cohen watch? Yes, there is one going on right now in the 182nd and at least 4 in the works for 2011.
7. What's the morale like today among the ADAs and support staff ? The worst it has ever been, period.
8. What do law enforcement and other DA offices think about the Lykos DA's office? They hate Lykos and continue to be saddened by the lack of experience of the ADA's, as well as knowing most ADA's have to plea cases for less than what they are worth because they will never go to trial and be pending for years.
9. What role does merit play in promotions, position or pay grade? Who knows. The last 3 chief promotions have appeared to be proper; but this fall you could see some unqualified #2's make Chief (i.e. Palmer).
10. How is the DA handling the tough cases that require obsessive preparation and excellent trial skills? She has never prepared a case for trial so how would she know what to do?
Anon 6:45:
The voters proved you wrong in '08 and will again in '12 because unless you're a popular incumbent, politicians will always beat prosecutors.Mike Anderson doesn't have a chance or the desire.Will it be Jim Leitner or Hannah Chow when Pat Lykos succumbs to emphysema or lung cancer is the question. Pat Lykos stuck the proverbial pitchfork in the DA's office--it's done.
"Who's talking to Mike Anderson. He should be the next Harris County DA--he'll take the politics right back out of the job and restore it to the rightful position of criminal justice administrator."
U R smokin some strong shit bro.
Current prosecutor your answers to #8 and #4 are confusing. Are the Harris County ADAs going to trial appropriately or not?
In Tarrant County we're not afraid to pick a jury and go to trial if the defense is unresonable and that's not what we hear is going on at the Harris County courthouse.
HOW VERY SAD ALL THIS IS. IT JUST MAKES ME SICK.
Rod Blagojevich is that guy.
All he has to do is pass the Texas State Bar. He may be off the charts but hey at least he prosecuted in the trenches. He will out politic Crazy Pat and her head will explode. Blago's destruction of Crazy Pat in the debates will make millions on pay per view re-runs for generations to come. So Inkman if your guy or gal doesn't want in you need to consider Blago.
Ink,
Your hypothetical sound pretty damn familiar. I agree the Judge won't touch it.
Note to Stealth:
unqualified #2's make Chief (i.e. Palmer...it will be interesting if in Palmer's quest to rise in the DA's office, she shows up to her fiancees hearing tomorrow at 9:00 -supporting his efforts to pay zero child support for his 6 year old daughter. Last hearing, she was present when her fiancee (that contributed $5,000 to her campaign) claimed he was indigent; plus the judge expressed some concerns that Palmer might be overusing her power regarding an incident prior to the hearing. I suggest a couple of ADAs wonder over to the 311 to assure that she doesn't overstep her boundaries again; it's time her wealthy deadbeat dad fiancee pays child support in accordance with the law - even if it means less money for her!!!
Hey Pat Lykos, We have been giving YOUR OFFICE information about SEVERAL FELONY crimes that were comitted by the well known "Pinocchio Crime Family" and they are still walking our streets!!! We know why too. It's because your office BOTCHED the case and it was left to the victim's family to investigate the crimes to bring out the truth!!!
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