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Accuser says deal shows ‘good ol’ boy’ system
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Fri Jul 4, 2008 10:30:02 CDT
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Comment From: ALS  (Report this comment as a violation)

silentlamb, actually the story was as follows:

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Tyler exercised good judgment              February 09, 2008 - 6:40 p.m.

Good judgment. Victoria District Attorney Stephen Tyler acted wisely Thursday in asking a judge to appoint a special prosecutor in the Michael Ratcliff case. Tyler told the judge he thought he could be called as a witness in the case against Ratcliff, his former chief of staff.Tyler hired Ratcliff in December 2006. Ten months later, Ratcliff was indicted on aggravated sexual assault of a teenage boy. The accuser in the case says the assaults occurred while Ratcliff served as Victoria County sheriff.The public rightly wants to see this case openly and thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. If Tyler stayed as the prosecutor of the case, he was in a no-win situation. No conviction would be severe enough to satisfy a suspicious public. An acquittal would have people clamoring for the district attorney’s head.Instead, visiting Judge Mark Luitjen of San Antonio will appoint a special prosecutor who has no ties to this judicial system. Given Ratcliff’s longtime tenure as sheriff, that’s a critical step toward restoring the public’s confidence.The new prosecutor will have a heavy burden, but at least he’ll be starting with what this sensational case needs.A clean slate.

If your claim is true maybe the Advocate can ask the Judge who picked the prosecutor, or better yet, ask the prosecutor if he had ever heard of Tyler before he was selected.

Your accusations of "conspiracy" and "cover-up" are as much unfounded as those of David Smith. 

Comment From: TexasHuckleberry  (Report this comment as a violation)

Well lets see all 55 comments of what the people of the 4th largest city in the nation thinks (Houston Texas)

http://www.chron.com/disp/c... Comment From: ragman  (Report this comment as a violation)

 

I would say the victim benefited from the system as well. He cut a deal. Was that wrong?

Lock'em all up. I don't care. But to quote this guy about a good ole' boy system is just silly time.

Comment From: victoriaconcernedcitizen  (Report this comment as a violation)

I totally agree with you, tstorm! Comment From: tstorm5  (Report this comment as a violation)

Well VCC, I don't know Tyler personally but based on his efforts to improve the Police Department by asking them to perform better work instead of just handing him shoddy cases I think his work there is justifiable. There are a lot of cop lovers here that think they can do no wrong just because they are cops.
I'm sure there are some great cops on the police force. I'm also certain that no matter how good they are, there is room for improvement.

I want Tyler to hound those public officials into the ground for there efforts to undermine his work on the Ratcliff case. They overstepped there boundries and he is simply showing them the error of their ways. Hmmm, I guess you could say he is doing the job he is getting paid to do. Comment From: victoriaconcernedcitizen  (Report this comment as a violation)

I had this same argument with silentlamb on a different string. I too am glad that someone is stepping up to take down the system that has been in place way too long in Victoria. Comment From: tstorm5  (Report this comment as a violation)

He is "our" DA. We're lucky to have him. I'm just sorry he was not able to hold McDonalds hand throughout the process. Comment From: silentlamb  (Report this comment as a violation)

well, tstorm, The February 8, 2008 VA states that Luitjen gave Tyler two weeks to offer a recommendation for prosecutor. Tyler recommended McDonald to Luitjen. Your DA, Tyler played a major role in this. Thank Tyler for his personal participation and recommendation. Comment From: Ladyinpink  (Report this comment as a violation)

I agree storm. IF anyone were going to move here and they read the paper or investigated VISD.....they would run. Im ready to. Comment From: stealth  (Report this comment as a violation)

for the sake of Victoria...what a ridiculous thing to say. More accurately would be to say for the sake of those still in office. The only remedy is to vote out all incumbents next election. Send them a message! Comment From: tstorm5  (Report this comment as a violation)

Why the plea? One reason, he was told, was “for the sake of Victoria.”

For the sake of Victoria, MY A$$!! Just add this to the never ending list of arrogant acts by officials that have always and will always take care of those in their disgusting profession.
I can't say "all" Judges, DA's, Lawyers, City Coucil persons, Mayors, Sherrifs, and Cops are like this, but there are just enough of them to make the good ones look like a bunch of self serving scum.

Terry McDonald, welcome to Victoria, where the Good Ol Boy system is alive and well. You will do well here.