Real Name: Gabe Semenza Member Since: September 30, 2007 Last Signed In: November 28, 2008 Profile Views: 999 Blog Views: 11157 What are you thankful for this year? Mexican cartels: What interests you about Laredo, Nuevo Laredo? Should American soldiers be deployed to U.S.-Mexico border? How soon is too soon to celebrate Christmas, decorate? Should newspapers publish public salaries online? Do you know the late Chelsea Margaret Currie? Calling all stay-at-home moms and dads Help us find local examples of questionable zoning realities What can Crossroads residents do to curb drug use, crimes? Hey, small business owners: Share your story with tens of thousands September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 
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What do you know about District Judge Mark Luitjen?
I'm researching the judge presiding over the Michael Lewis Ratcliff case. Visiting San Antonio District Judge Mark Luitjen, appointed to the case after local district judges recused themselves, will decide Aug. 15 whether to accept the plea deal offered to Ratcliff. What do you know about Luitjen? I've researched him online thus far. I'm interested in information about Luitjen that you can't find via a Google search. Any insight or experience you have regarding Luitjen is appreciated. Thanks for your help, Gabe Semenza/Advocate public service editor 6 comments from 5 users
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posted by
southtexasguy
on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Planning a hatchet job on the judge, eh? Yea...that will increase your (and the Advocate's) credibility. Maybe you can even win an award for it. I can't wait for the upcoming trials to see exactly how you and your ethically-challenged editor are involved in all of this.
posted by
mimi312
on Jul 8, 2008 at 10:08 PM
What is this? Trash Gabe day? At least someone has the guts to do the research and report what they know! And how they see it!
posted by
bella7
on Jul 8, 2008 at 10:23 PM
What does it hurt for Gabe to look into this judge? Aren't we positive he is an upstanding member of the community? Hello...I mean com'on people; we have such a fabulous track record so far.
posted by
GabeSemenza
on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Thanks for the comments, everyone. One of the beneficial things about these blogs, I think, is that the community gets to question us at the newspaper. These blogs, and the online discussion forums, allow readers to let us know when they think we've erred or done a job well. It's a good, even if informal, checks-and-balances system. If anyone has any information about Judge Luitjen, I'm still ears. I'm interested to learn more about him. Thanks, Gabe posted by
pat
on Jul 9, 2008 at 07:43 AM
He is presiding over a trial in Kleberg County right now where the County Attorney is accused of abuse of office. Might be worth making a trip to Kingsville to see his style or maybe the Kingsville Record or Corpus Christi Caller-Times could help.
posted by
GabeSemenza
on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Good idea, Pat. Thanks.
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