I seriously doubt that Filley's abilities to negotiate and/or mediate a deal had anything to do with Ratcliff's slap on the hand. None of the lawyers in Victoria are experts in criminal law. I'll bet Filley had to dust off his old textbooks and hire some new paralegals to research precedent.

If these allegations prove to be true, and thus far it looks as if they are. It is really a disgrace that Ratcliff got off so easy: 5 years probation, no sex offender stigma. Ugh, that's enough to "p" me off! Ordinary people do not get off that easy! Some judicial system. I'm not impressed!

So Podunk...you are doubting the fine abilites of Mr. Filley...I think it falls not on Filley's skills, but rather on the level of evidence againast Ratcliff and his ability to weasel out via this plea.

By the way, to Themis and all the other supporters of Ratcliff, I hope your level of support remains high, he will need it in his rapid drop through purgatory!

My view of Victoria:

Great people, that helped raised this person, which included bright and intelligent teachers at V.H.S., a strict/admired law enforment group in both the V.P.D. and Dutch Meyer's sheriffs department, wonderful families, great athletics, and quite of A bit of fun times.

A few very BAD APPLES, have tarnished my impression of my old home town. ROT AWAY BAD APPLES, ROT AWAY QUICKLY!

Well, all that being said, I never would comdemn a person to hell. It isn't my authority. But, honestly, SouthTexas, how in the world could he NOT be guilty if he accepts a plea? Maybe you can email me and explain it. I don't get it.

Pat....welcome to Victoria and welcome to some of the "burning in hell", judge and jury posters who know someone who heard that, or has a sister whose husband knew someone at the Sheriff's office group.

You may have noticed but sometimes on some of these forums there is a definite shortage of common sense.

And if anyone on here believes that everyone who takes a plea bargain is guilty....think again.

Victoria must be trying to run a race with Houston and the nation. We just had Joe Horn no billed (yeah). Yet we have an ex Katrina druggie that has apparently killed and burned his kids (and his wife knew).

Next in Vermont we have an uncle and a step father doing unspeakable things to young girls and one of them is now dead!

I have missed the stories on the man so far. I will presume innocent until further information and court case occurs or if he rolls over and accepts a plea. And if he does that we know he is rolling over on other information. Since I don't know the story, I have know idea as to who anyone else may or may not be involved.

As to pedifiles my beliefs are this -- an eye for an eye and worse. In my history I have dealt with the victims, some never truely heal.

Anyone who does such a cruel thing man or woman deserves cruel and unusual punishment. And yes there are tales in the bible. So choose some -- stoning by the towns people; cutting skin off in one inch squares and pouring salt in the wounds; having the person drawn and quartered, or giving that person to a group of their peers in prison. What they do would curdle your blood, but it is justice being delivered by a panel of their peers.

Any human being who harms a child has no right to live as far as I am concerned. Once found guilty, their punishment should be swift and cruel. Look at the man from Vermont. Attorneys throughout the US refer to the rehab treatment in that state as "hug a thug". He was a repetative pedifile. And now the step father may be involved also. Please don't tell me there are those of you out there that can forgive that man if he is found guilty of the rapes and murder.

Do you have children? How are you treating them? Would you care who touched them? Would you hug a thug if they were found guilty?

For now I will presume innocence for the man. But Lord love a duck, if he rolls then we all know he has destroyed children's lives.

Lady in Pink: Send me a list. I'll gladly head up the lynching party of the little gang.

Are we going to make national news again when all the pervs come out?

Pat: Welcome to Victoria. Despite the current rumblings, I've found it suits my lifestyle professionally and personally. I wish you the same good fortune as I have had in Victoria.

Many locals appear to be indentured to some idea, concept, or are just too lazy to move their hineys to someplace they would be happier. Pay them no mind. Or tease them if you please.

One small town issue here.

Victoria is a place where admiting to knowing nothing is worse than feeding countless rumors, stories, fables, and fantasies without a grain of evidence.

Where are all of Ratcliff's other victims? Come on, rumor mongers, name some names. Give testimony. List witnesses.

Wouldn't it behoove these people to come forward & plead their case that their evil boss forced them thru intimidation etc..etc... to do what they did & hope to get off instead of taking their chances with being charged with conspiracy or aiding & abetting or whatever? If it were me I would be throwing everything & the kitchen sink at Ratcliff to save my own behind. But thats just me I guess.

to PAT: Welcome newcomer to Victoria. You have a lot to learn about this little town and it's "dirty little secrets".  Don't be talking about things that you know NOTHING about.  Ratcliff will plead guilty to a lesser charge on Thursday and receive probation so he won't have to go thru a lengthy trial which pales in comparison to what his VICTIM has gone through!  When he pleads guilty tomorrow to the lesser charge, everyone will know the truth and not be shocked.  Everyone asks "where are the other victims"?  Well after what Ratcliff's victim has gone through would you actually admit to something happening to you like what happened to him?  Some people have done everything to make the victim look bad because of his very troubled past.  If what happened to him had happened to you can you tell me how you would have turned out?  You most not know anything about victims?  Maybe you should attend some type of counseling for sexual abuse victims and witness the self destructive behavior and paths that most of the victims take!  
I'm with JC on this one........I don't believe Ratcliff will make it to heaven.  Maybe he should face his demons and just tell the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth and save this town from further destruction.  The victim has faced his demons and faced the truth, why can't Ratcliff?   
 
 

My philosophy: Keep it light! Thanks for accepting me for who I am.

No harm done Pat. You seem like a well-intentioned person.
I agree with you 100% that accusations should not equate to guilt. In almost every other case, your comments would be well-deserved and -received. However, Ratcliff has been a scourge in this town for many years, and too many people have first-hand knowledge of his misdeeds. You just picked a bad situation to take a superior and judgemental stance on. But like I said, no harm done. Keep on keepin' on.
By your level of rationale, I am awfully surprise you vote democrat. We really do need a few more libs posting on this site.
Just a joke, roll with it.

OOOOOPS! That should have read "condescension"; not condensation. Guess I had a brain thingy!

You know what? You did NOT mischaracterize the condensation in my previous post. It was snide and immature and uncalled for. I truly apologize to you and the other readers of this thread. I have told myself time and again not to get down on the same level as some who post here and then I went and did it. I want you to know that my apology is sincere. I really do have a problem with anyone listening to rumor and innuendo. I guess because, if the shoe were on the other foot and it was me who was accused, I'd want a fair and just hearing guilty or not. I was just brought up that way. I believe in the justice system. Otherwise, we'd just be a country of vigilantes and if you didn't like me, you could just shoot me down in the street for something I may or may not have done. That is just my opinion. No one has to agree with it. However, I think as an American I am entitled to have one the same as anyone else. Again, I very much apologize for my previous post.

Did I mischaracterize the condescension in your previous post? I thought with the multitude of short questions that were asked rhetorically in the post, I had the situation pegged. If I erred, I apologize emphatically.
"Stories" take on a more serious meaning when people you know and trust pass on first hand information that they have witnessed.
For the record, I personally have no intimate knowledge of the Ratcliff case, so there is no reason to call me as a witness.

But, Bundy. You said it yourself. "Stories" are not proof of guilt. By the way, I feel properly chastised by you now. I'll be very, very careful about my opinions from now on. I sure wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes in Victoria being from Corpus and all.

Pat, since you are new to town, let me help you out a bit. More than a few people have known about this or other stories concerning Ratcliff for years now. Count yourself lucky that you haven't been here long enough to know the goings-on of this sick individual.
I did detect the air of arrogance in your post. If you want to portray yourself as more knowledgeable than people in Victoria, here's a hint: Don't tell people you are from Corpus.
In short, you can stop with all of the "you don't know" talk. Many people in this town know plenty.

JC:
I have only been in Victoria since March, but have tried to keep up with the goings-on here as best I can. I have to tell you that things here pale in comparison to what goes on in Corpus on a daily basis so I am really struggling to get my daily fix of immature, adolescent comments by some of the posters (not meaning you). I do wonder, however, if I missed something. You and what's her name? Oh, yeah, Texasmom are saying "guilty" and I have completely missed the darn trial! When was it held? How did I miss it? Where can I get a copy of the transcript? Being new to Victoria I don't know if I go to the courthouse or the DA's office or where. If there has been no trial, then I am seriously confused. Who determined that Ratcliff is guilty? I am also confused by the presumption of innocence until PROVEN guilty. If, indeed, Mr. Ratcliff is guilty of the charges against him please have faith in our justice system. Armchair lawyers are just that--armchair lawyers. Armchair juries are just that--armchair juries. Please leave the law to people who practice law. As far as burning eternally in Hell, that is still God's decision; not man's.

JC: Who are his buddies....please list them. And by that I assume you mean that they are all pedophiles.

The VicAd has put out false alarms before regarding this plea....you'd best wait for tomorrow. Or the next date.

Where are the rest of the victims?

Pat,You are correct, I am disappointed that I do not have the final say in what happens to this man, or his buddies. Buring in hell would be a much lighter outcome for him than I would see fit. I recognize the law, I recognize God's power, and I am civil enough to know how to control my actions...this does not mean I cannot think or wish for worse for this punk! Maybe if he does serve time, he will receive the same treatment, as of tomorrow, he is FOR SURE GUILTY OF!!!

opine31 - The part you omitted from plea bargain is the roll over. The felon agrees to cooperate in further investigations. When said felon is in a position where a more comfortable cell or sentence is possible, DPS will be interested to incriminate any corrupt officers, deputies or politicians.

Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

none of my comments were deleted.

Ratcliff will be guilty. Guilty as sin. Thank you, thank you very much. (Elvis style.)

WAAAAAA AAAAAAAA   news2me you hurt my feelings! See you deleted your comment did you get scared I would have u investigated?
 
JMO guess you will have to break it down for news2me!

justmyopinion - I missed the take home message. Your point is what exactly?

Thank You JMO! news2me  phlezzzz .. You are getting away from the topic here!
 

A plea bargain is an agreement in a criminal case whereby the prosecutor offers the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty, usually to a lesser charge or to the original criminal charge with a recommendation of a lighter than the maximum sentence. Most criminal defendants are offered plea bargains. A plea bargain gives criminal defendants the opportunity to avoid sitting through a trial risking conviction on the original more serious charge. For example, a criminal defendant charged with a felony theft charge, the conviction of which would require imprisonment in state prison, may be offered the opportunity to plead guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge, which may not carry jail time. In cases such as a car accident when there is a potential for civil liability against the defendant, the defendant may agree to plead no contest or "guilty with a civil reservation," which essentially is a guilty plea without admitting civil liability.

South Texas!! Wake up you are dreaming! A plea deal makes the man guilty period!
What does his parents have to do with this? They didn't commit the crime. Ratcliff
did.  Oh and by the way any person that takes advantage of a child should burn in
HELL!

Pleading guilty to a felony is acceptance of guilt of that felony. I would not take probation or jail time if I did not commit a crime. I would fight it all the way to the supreme court. If he takes the plea, he is guilty as charged. (Unless the charges are dropped.)  You are incorrect. 

Plea does not equal guilt. I am sure Mr. Ratcliff wants this whole thing over with. His father recently died and his family has been through living hell with the rumors and meanspirited threats and comments. A trial could drag on forever and just subject his family to more sorrow.

Burning forever in hell? I think that is left up to God. Judge not lest ye be judged also.

JC
Wow! I guess I wasn't expecting your reaction. If Mr. Ratcliff pleads guilty to an amoral act and to being a sexual deviant, then he must be. I don't think I said anything about his not being capable of both. I don't think my reference about God has anything to do with my belief in the abhorrence of the acts. I think you may just be upset that you don't have the final say in whether he goes to Hell or not. By the way, my belief is that you brought religion into this by your "eternal burning in Hell" statement.

I am not God, or anything close to him/her, but I have read the bible and I am entitled to my beliefs, as are you. God perhaps will forgive, for me, the victim(s), a majority of Victorians, and any backbone having person, I think not. If you want to sway one's opinion in this matter on a ethical basis, remove religion from your argument, and I am certain you will see that he (Ratcliff) is amoral and a sexual deviant!

JC
I don't believe the "burning in Hell" is your call unless you think you are God! I would certainly hope that God would be more compassionate than you if Mr. Ratcliff asks for forgiveness.

TO RATCLIFF AND HIS BUDDIES:

PLEA=GUILT=PEDOPHILE=ETERNAL BURNING IN HELL