Tag Archives: District Attorney

Kaylynn Williford

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Goodbye, and good riddance. The head prosecutor for Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s trial division resigned Monday after posting a meme on Facebook last week that equated protesters who remove Confederate statutes with Nazis. The meme posted by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged Black Lives Matter, Confederacy, District Attorney, Facebook, Harris County, Kaylynn Williford, Kim Ogg, racism | 1 Comment

Runoff reminder: County races

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Statewide, Congress, SBOE and State Senate, State House. There were a ton of contested county race primaries in Harris County, with all of the countywide offices except one HCDE position featuring at least three candidates. When the dust settled, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Adrian Garcia, Beto O'Rourke, Bridgette Smith-Lawson, Chris Diaz, Commissioners Court, Constable, County Judge, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Election 2018, Election 2020, Eric Fagan, Fort Bend County, Geneane Hughes, Harris County, Israel Garcia, Jennifer Cantu, Jerry Garcia, Jose Garza, Justice of the Peace, Ken Jones, Lynette Reddix, Margaret Moore, Mark Alan Harrison, Michael Moore, Randy Newman, Richard Morrison, Rodney Ellis, Roel Garcia, runoff, Sheriff, Sherman Eagleton, Sonia Rash, Steve Radack, Texas, Travis County, Troy Nehls | 4 Comments

Steps towards more transparency

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Step One: Mayor Sylvester Turner said Friday he is reviewing an internal audit of the Houston Police Department’s embattled narcotics division and will send the results of the probe to state lawmakers who have called for its public release. Turner … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged Art Acevedo, body cameras, District Attorney, Garnet Coleman, Gene Wu, George Floyd, Gerald Goines, Houston, HPD, Jon Rosenthal, Nicolas Chavez, police, Sylvester Turner | 1 Comment

Meanwhile, the jail is filling up again

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We really need to do something about this. The Harris County Jail population has been steadily rising since late April and is now approaching its pre-pandemic capacity despite early efforts to curb crowding, according to the sheriff’s office. With an … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged bail, Commissioners Court, coronavirus, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, flooding, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, Hurricane Harvey, jail overcrowding, jails, Kim Ogg, lawsuit, TDCJ, Texas Commission on Jail Standards | 1 Comment

DA dismisses charges against most protesters

Posted on June 11, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday dismissed almost 800 cases filed against protesters arrested during the George Floyd demonstrations last week in Houston. In total, prosecutors dropped 796 charges filed against 654 protesters, District Attorney Kim Ogg … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged bail, coronavirus, District Attorney, Harris County, Houston, Houston Protestors Defense Team, HPD, jails, Kim Ogg, police, public defender | 1 Comment

Dutton’s colleagues ask for investigation of Natasha Ruiz

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, look, it’s actual election news! Nearly the entire Harris County Democratic legislative delegation has asked the county attorney and district attorney to open a criminal investigation into the candidacy of a Texas House candidate whose existence was called into … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Harold Dutton, Harris County Attorney, HCDP, HD142, Jerry Davis, Kim Ogg, Natasha Ruiz, Richard Bonton, runoff, Texas, The Lege, Vince Ryan | 5 Comments

RIP, Ronnie Earle

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

The iconic former Travis County District Attorney has passed away. Ronnie Earle, who served as Travis County district attorney for more than 30 years and was best known for prosecuting some of Texas’ top politicians and for championing the community … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged District Attorney, obituaries, Ronnie Earle, Texas, Travis County | Comments Off

2020 primary results: Harris County

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with this. Long lines combined with a lack of voting machines turned into frustration for voters at several election sites in Harris County on Super Tuesday. Margaret Hollie arrived at the Multi Service Center on Griggs Road at … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Andrea Duhon, Ann Harris Bennett, Cheryl Elliott Thornton, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, Daryl Moore, David Brown, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2020, George Powell, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, HCDE, HCDP, judicial races, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Larry Weiman, Michael Moore, primaries, Randy Roll, Republican Party, Rodney Ellis, runoff, Steven Kirkland, Texas, turnout, Vince Ryan | 7 Comments

Endorsement watch: Ogg and Moore

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Two (*) big endorsements on Sunday, in the races for District Attorney and Commissioners Court, Precinct 3. Let’s do the thing. Kim Ogg for District Attorney: “We are in the midst of righting a lot of wrongs,” Ogg told the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Amy Klobuchar, Audia Jones, Brenda Stardig, Carvana Cloud, Commissioners Court, Curtis Todd Overstreet, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Election 2020, endorsements, Harris County, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Michael Moore, Morris Overstreet, President, primaries | 2 Comments

How should we police the police?

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This article raises a number of interesting questions. A quarter of the 60-plus law enforcement agencies operating in Harris County have refused to sign agreements to help local prosecutors track problem cops. Under those agreements, all signed since District Attorney … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged Constable, District Attorney, DPS, Ed Gonzalez, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Houston, HPD, Kim Ogg, Metro | Comments Off

The Observer overviews the DA primary

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve had a chance to listen to my interviews with DA candidates, now read this story for more on this important primary. When Kim Ogg first ran for Harris County district attorney, she had a simple pitch for criminal justice … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Audia Jones, bail, Carvana Cloud, Dan Patrick, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Erin Martinson, Harris County, jails, Jose Garza, Kim Ogg, local control, Margaret Moore, marijuana, pre-trial diversion, sex work, Texas, The Lege, Travis County | Comments Off

Interview with Audia Jones

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

We come to the end of the DA interviews, and also interview season for the primaries. It’s possible I’ll revisit some other races in the runoffs, but there’s not that many to pick from at this point. You never know, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Audia Jones, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews | Comments Off

Interview with Carvana Cloud

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Incumbent District Attorney Kim Ogg has three opponents in the Democratic primary this year. Two of the three are running serious campaigns, and I have interviews to present to you with each of them. Today’s candidate is Carvana Cloud. Cloud … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Carvana Cloud, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews | Comments Off

Interview with District Attorney Kim Ogg

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

Hard to believe, but we are one week out from early voting for the 2020 primaries in Texas. It’s been a busy interview season for me, as I’m sure you can imagine. This week we will wrap things up with … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Harris County, interviews, Kim Ogg | 10 Comments

Cite and release

Posted on February 9, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

This has been a long time coming. Harris County law enforcement officials on Tuesday will begin a “cite and release” program that treats some misdemeanor charges like court citations for speeding tickets, just days after the district attorney’s office said … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged bail, cite and release, Darrell Jordan, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2018, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, Houston, jail overcrowding, jails, Kim Ogg | 5 Comments

January 2020 campaign finance reports: Harris County

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, New Year’s Day brings a new round of campaign finance reports, for all levels of government. I’m going to be working my way through these as I can, because there’s lots to be learned about the candidates … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Ann Harris Bennett, Audia Jones, Ben Rose, Brenda Stardig, campaign finance reports, Carvana Cloud, Chris Daniel, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, Curtis Todd Overstreet, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2020, fundraising, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, Harry Zamora, Jerome Moore, Joe Danna, Joe Nation, Jolanda Jones, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Lloyd Oliver, Lori DeAngelo, Maria Jackson, Mary Nan Huffman, Michael Moore, Morris Overstreet, Paul Day, Republican Party, Rodney Ellis, Steve Radack, Susan Sample, Tom Ramsey, Vince Ryan | 2 Comments

Where the primary action is

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Charles Kuffner

It’s on the Democratic side in Harris County. This should come as a surprise to no one. The crowded Harris County Democratic primary field reflects a new reality in Houston politics: With the county turning an even darker shade of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Alma Allen, Ann Harris Bennett, Borris Miles, Briscoe Cain, CD07, CD22, Commissioners Court, Congress, Constable, Dan Huberty, Dennis Paul, District Attorney, Don Sumners, Ed Gonzalez, Garnet Coleman, Harold Dutton, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, HCDE, HD127, HD128, HD129, HD131, HD132, HD134, HD138, HD139, HD141, HD142, HD146, HD147, HD26, Jarvis Johnson, Justice of the Peace, Kim Ogg, Maria Jackson, Mark Herman, Rodney Ellis, Russ Ridgway, Sarah Davis, SD13, Senate, Senfronia Thompson, Shawn Thierry, Texas, The Lege, Vince Ryan | 2 Comments

The “Has Not Yet Filed” list

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the actual, official filing deadline. Anyone who has not filed for a spot in the primary by 6 PM today is not a candidate for a Democratic nomination in 2020. A whole lot of people have already filed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Alan Rosen, Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Borris Miles, CD03, CD19, CD20, CD21, CD22, CD27, CD28, CD31, CD36, Cesar Blanco, Christopher Suprun, Colin Allred, Commissioners Court, Congress, Constable, Dan Jangigian, David Brown, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Eddie Lucio, Elaine Palmer, Election 2020, filing deadline, George Powell, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, HCDE, HD119, HD23, HD43, HD84, HD99, Herb Ritchie, Jaclanel McFarland, Jennie Lou Leeder, Jessica Cisneros, Joaquin Castro, John Love, judicial races, Justice of the Peace, Kelly Stone, Leticia Bresnahan, Luis Guajardo, Maria Jackson, MJ Hegar, Railroad Commission, Rene Oliveira, Robert Alonzo, Roland Gutierrez, Ron Reynolds, SBOE, SD12, SD13, SD18, SD19, SD22, SD28, SD29, Sean Villasana, Senate, Tanner Do, Texas, The Lege, Ursula Hall, Wendy Davis | 4 Comments

Filing update: Focus on Harris County

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

One more look at who has and hasn’t yet filed for stuff as we head into the final weekend for filing. But first, this message: Hi y’all, as we approach the filing deadline in Texas, this is a reminder that … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Al Green, Alan Rosen, Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Andrea Duhon, Ann Harris Bennett, Ann Johnson, Anna Eastman, Audia Jones, Carvana Cloud, CD02, CD07, CD10, CD18, CD22, CD29, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, Congress, Constable, Curtis Todd Overstreet, David Brown, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2016, Election 2018, Election 2020, Elisa Cardnell, Erica Davis, filing deadline, Fort Bend County, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, Harry Zamora, HCDE, HD134, HD148, HD27, Jack Terence, Jennifer Cantu, judicial races, Julia Maldonado, Justice of the Peace, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Lanny Bose, Lizzie FLetcher, Maria Jackson, Melissa Wilson-Williams, Michael Moore, Mike Siegel, Neeta Sane, Penny Shaw, Rodney Ellis, Ron Reynolds, Ruby Powers, Shannon Hutcheson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Sheriff, Steven Kirkland, Sylvia Garcia, Texas, The Lege, Travis Olsen, Troy Nehls, Vince Ryan, Zaher Eisa | 3 Comments

Filing report update

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

We’re a week out from the official filing deadline for the 2020 primaries. There’s still a lot of known candidates who haven’t filed yet, but I expect there will be a mad flurry of activity this week, as is usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, Alma Allen, Amparo Guerra, Andrea Duhon, Anna Eastman, Ashton Woods, Audia Jones, Bill McLeod, Borris Miles, Cheri Thomas, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, David Brown, Debby Kerner, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, Dinesh Singhal, District Attorney, Election 2018, Election 2020, Election 2022, Erica Davis, filing deadline, First Court of Appeals, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, HCDE, HD133, HD146, HD148, HD26, HD29, HD32, Jane Robinson, judicial races, Kem Thompson Frost, Ken Mercer, Kim Ogg, Kimberly McLeod, Kristi Thibaut, Laura Higley, Lawrence Allen, Lesley Briones, Leticia Bresnahan, Michael Moore, Michelle Palmer, Northeast ISD, Richard Andrews, Rish Oberoi, Sandra Moore, Sarah DeMerchant, SBOE, SD13, Secretary of State, Senate, Shawn Thierry, Suleman Lalani, Texas, The Lege, Tim Hootman, Tracy Christopher, Travis Boldt, Veronica Rivas-Molloy, Vince Ryan, Wally Kronzer | 4 Comments

Filing period preview: Harris County

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Previously: Congress, Statewide, and SBOE/Senate/House. For County races, I cannot use the Patrick Svitek spreadsheet, as it doesn’t include local races. I am instead using the Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Reports for Various County Offices link on the County Clerk … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Ann Harris Bennett, Audia Jones, Ben Rose, Brenda Stardig, Carvana Cloud, Christian Menefee, Commissioners Court, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2008, Election 2016, Election 2020, Erik Hassan, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, Harry Zamora, Jerome Moore, Joe Danna, Kim Ogg, Kristi Thibaut, Lawrence Rush, Lloyd Oliver, Lori DeAngelo, Luis Guajardo, Maria Jackson, Mary Nan Huffman, Michael Moore, Paul Day, primaries, Rodney Ellis, Steve Radack, Vince Ryan | 1 Comment

Last bail lawsuit hearing

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

At least I assume it’s the last one. I’ve been thinking this was all over but for the formality for months now, so what do I know? Dianna Williams has witnessed the “collateral damage” of jailing on the fabric of … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Attorney General, bail, Commissioners Court, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Sheriff, HPD, HPOU, jail overcrowding, jails, Ken Paxton, Kim Ogg, lawsuit, Neil Manne | Comments Off

Ogg continues to have problems with the bail settlement

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t like this. District Attorney Kim Ogg is rallying police officers across Harris County to show up in federal court en masse to oppose to a landmark bail reform agreement at a final hearing set for this month. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged Alex Bunin, bail, Commissioners Court, Darrell Jordan, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Election 2020, Harris County, jail overcrowding, jails, Kim Ogg, lawsuit, public defender, Rodney Ellis | 3 Comments

MQS-Bonnen secret meeting investigation update

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Noted for the record. The top prosecutor in House Speaker Dennis Bonnen’s home district has joined the probe into Bonnen’s secret meeting with a conservative political activist, in which the activist alleges he was offered an illegal quid pro quo. … Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized!, That's our Lege | Tagged Brazoria County, Dennis Bonnen, District Attorney, DPS, Empower Texans, Jeri Yenne, Michael Quinn Sullivan, Texas, Texas Rangers, The Lege | Comments Off

Ogg’s objections

Posted on August 24, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This kind of came out of the blue. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg — who has been aligned with bail reformers during an ongoing legal conflict over the disparate treatment of poor defendants — filed a brief Thursday opposing … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged bail, Darrell Jordan, District Attorney, Harris County, Jack Cagle, Kim Ogg, lawsuit, Steve Radack | Comments Off

David Temple convicted again

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

New trial, same result. A Harris County jury on Tuesday convicted David Temple of murder in the 1999 death of his pregnant wife, opening the door for the former Katy-area football coach to be sent back to prison several years … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged Attorney General, Bill Turner, Court of Criminal Appeals, David Temple, District Attorney, Harris County, Kelly Siegler, Kim Ogg, Lisa Tanner, murder, special prosecutor | Comments Off

Once more with more prosecutors

Posted on July 30, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This time, it might work. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is asking county commissioners once again for more prosecutors to handle fallout from the botched Houston drug raid that left a Pecan Park couple dead earlier this year. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged Adrian Garcia, budget, Commissioners Court, District Attorney, Harris County, HPD, Kim Ogg, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis | 2 Comments

July 2019 campaign finance reports: Harris County

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Before we get to the numbers, please read this. The widow of former Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner El Franco Lee has emptied most of her late husband’s $3.8 million campaign account by donating to community groups and charities. Ethel … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2020 | Tagged Andrea Duhon, Ann Harris Bennett, Audia Jones, campaign finance reports, Commissioners Court, Curtis Todd Overstreet, David Brown, Democratic primary, Diana Alexander, District Attorney, District Clerk, Ed Gonzalez, El Franco Lee, Election 2020, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Clerk, Harris County Judge, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, Harris County Treasurer, Harry Zamora, HCDE, Joe Danna, Kim Ogg, Lina Hidalgo, Lloyd Oliver, Steve Radack, Vince Ryan | Comments Off

David Temple re-trial is now underway

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I continue to be fascinated by this. It’s 1999 in Katy, Texas. A seemingly perfect couple is falling apart at the seams. David Temple, a high school football coach, is having an affair with a beautiful teacher on campus. His … Continue reading →

Did the Lege sort of decriminalize marijuana?

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

Well, sort of. Because of a new state law, prosecutors across Texas have dropped hundreds of low-level marijuana charges and have indicated they won’t pursue new ones without further testing. But the law didn’t decriminalize small amounts of marijuana for … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, That's our Lege | Tagged Bexar County, District Attorney, DPS, Fort Bend County, Harris County, hemp, marijuana, Nueces County, TDCAA, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

Still no more prosecutors

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I remain fascinated by this dynamic. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday rejected District Attorney Kim Ogg’s request for more staff to handle fallout from the Houston Police Department’s botched Pecan Park drug raid, the second time this year commissioners … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged Adrian Garcia, budget, Commissioners Court, District Attorney, Election 2020, Harris County, HPD, Kim Ogg, Lina Hidalgo, Rodney Ellis | 1 Comment

David Temple re-trial starts

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

The beginning of the next chapter in a long story. For the second time in 12 years, a former Katy-area football coach is standing trial in the murder of his pregnant wife, seeking exoneration after prosecutorial misconduct caused his first … Continue reading →

On prosecutor caseloads

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

I’m still thinking about this. When a line of prosecutors stepped up to the microphone at Harris County Commissioners Court in February, they told tales of long hours, endless to-do lists and bloated caseloads well into the triple digits. Their … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged budget, Commissioners Court, District Attorney, Harris County, Kim Ogg, Lina Hidalgo, Steve Radack | Comments Off

Lineup shuffling at the DA’s office

Posted on May 18, 2019 by Charles Kuffner

This was a surprise. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s top lieutenant is out the door after the latest staffing shake-up at an office already plagued by high turnover and ongoing retention problems. Tom Berg, a former defense attorney who … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged David Mitcham, District Attorney, Election 2012, Election 2016, Election 2020, Harris County, Hurricane Harvey, Kim Ogg, Pat Lykos, Tom Berg | Comments Off

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