The district attorney will continue to prosecute aggravated perjury cases against three officials, a judge ruled Monday."I think it's a legitimate issue, and it's a matter of important concern," Judge Robert Cheshire said of attorney Randy Schaffer's motion to disqualify. "But I don't have the authority to do what you're requesting." more >>
The city attorney is considering challenging a prosecutor's subpoena of police and city council records for a hearing Monday. City attorney Miles Risley said he wasn't sure whether he could release all the information Tyler ordered. Tyler subpoenaed police records, including documents involving Scott McHaney, a member of the family who owns the Victoria Advocate. more >>
The Victoria County district attorney ordered a broad sweep of documents from local, county and state officials and media coverage because of a defense lawyer's subpoena, he said Tuesday. "All this is, is an attempt by the defense to make me a witness in this case," District Attorney Stephen Tyler said. more >>
The city must bring all of its records about the district attorney and the defense of four city officials to court, according to sweeping subpoenas filed Monday. “The city secretary just received this late this afternoon,” city attorney Miles Risley said. “It’s a little premature to comment.” more >>
Let me first say how honored I am to serve the public as mayor of Victoria. In this role, I believe the mayor should offer leadership for issues that impact the community and the safety of its citizens. I am very proud of my excellent working relationships with our state senator, state representative, county judge and commissioners, sheriff’s office, VISD officials, University of Houston-Victoria, Victoria College and the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. I wish I could say the same thing about my relationship with our district attorney, Stephen B. Tyler. more >>
The district attorney might be a witness, so he shouldn’t prosecute the case against a former city attorney, according to a defense motion filed Friday. The testimony of Stephen Tyler, Victoria County district attorney, is needed to establish if he prosecuted former city attorney David Smith “in retaliation for advising police officers not to sign the affidavits and criticizing him in the media,” defense lawyer Randy Schaffer wrote in his motion. more >>
Three men accused of lying to a grand jury may find out today if they’ll get records from that panel’s normally secret proceedings. A motions hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the aggravated perjury cases of Police Chief Bruce Ure, Lt. Ralph Buentello and former city attorney David Smith. more >>
Some e-mails and personnel records requested from the district attorney through an open-records query should be public, the Attorney General’s Office ruled recently. Defense lawyer Scot Courtney asked for e-mails to and from District Attorney Stephen Tyler and his former chief of staff Michael Ratcliff. He also requested both men’s personnel files. more >>
A judge threw out most charges against four men accused of interfering with an investigation into a former sheriff on Monday. But the district attorney plans to re-indict them. DA Stephen Tyler filed a motion to dismiss most pending charges against Police Chief Bruce Ure, Lt. Ralph Buentello and former city attorney David Smith, and both charges against Mayor Will Armstrong on Friday. more >>
The district attorney offered the mayor a plea bargain that includes the condition he not seek re-election. “This smacks of political blackmail and is absolutely unacceptable and certainly un-American,” Mayor Will Armstrong said in a written statement. His lawyer received the offer in writing on Sept. 9. more >>
The district attorney will seek new indictments against city officials accused of plotting a leak, according to two defendants’ lawyers. District Attorney Stephen Tyler wouldn’t say Monday how he’ll pursue charges against Police Chief Bruce Ure, Lt. Ralph Buentello, Mayor Will Armstrong and former city attorney David Smith. more >>
Four indicted Victoria officials likely won’t appear in court this week, and Hurricane Ike is partially responsible. District Attorney Stephen Tyler couldn’t file motions Friday because the courthouse was closed, he wrote in a motion filed late Monday afternoon. That means no paperwork was submitted in time for a tentatively scheduled Friday court date. more >>
Corrections and Clarifications The Advocate wants to correct promptly any error in fact or clarify any misleading information we publish. To report any error or need for clarification, please call 361-574-1222. more >>
The district attorney must significantly change the indictments against four city officials, or most charges will be dropped, a judge ruled Wednesday. Aggravated perjury charges against Police Chief Bruce Ure, Lt. Ralph Buentello and former city attorney David Smith are the lone charges left standing. more >>
The district attorney will press on with the prosecution of four city officials, although a judge found critical flaws in the indictments against them. “I’m not walking away,” District Attorney Stephen Tyler said Wednesday. But his next step isn’t clear. more >>
Victoria County District Judge Robert Cheshire ruled indictments against the four officials lacked detailed accusations. “A defendant has the right to fair notice of the specific charged offense under the Texas and United State Constitutions and the notice must be sufficient to allow the defendant to prepare defense,” he wrote. more >>
2006: Texas Department of Public Safety begins investigation into sexual assault accusations against fomer Victoria County Sheriff Michael Ratcliff. 2007: Ratcliff becomes DA Stephen Tyler’s chief of staff. more >>
The district attorney must make several changes to indictments against four city officials, or most charges will be dropped, a judge ruled Wednesday. Aggravated perjury charges against Police Chief Bruce Ure, police Lt. Ralph Buentello and former city attorney David Smith remain unchanged. But four charges against those men and two charges against Mayor Will Armstrong must outline the crimes they’re accused of more specifically, Victoria County District Judge Robert Cheshire wrote. more >>
A Victoria Police officer was acquitted of official oppression last year and a judge wiped his record clean, but an appeals court reversed that decision Thursday. The Thirteenth District Court of Appeals said Carlos Javier Echeverry’s court and arrest records should not be sealed. more >>
