mimi, thanks for the complements. Yes you are right, victims of sexual abuse do tend to blame themselves for what happened and yes that does tend to lead on to other things. southtexas, yes you are right as well, we don't know if this victim is really telling the truth or not. my best wishes and regards however will go out to this person in that I hope he gets his life back on track.

I DO know this Southtexas... children and teens who have been molested, often turn to self-destructive behaviors such as becoming promiscous, using drugs and alcohol, self-mutilation. Having worked with emotionally disturbed teens, you should know that.

Let me ask you this: How do you KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that the allegations from this young man are absolutely false? Can you reasonably answer that? No. By the same token, I cannot reasonably answer that the allegations are absolutely true. You can CHOOSE to DISBELIEVE the victim because he is/was an addict and judge him by that and that alone. I, however, CHOOSE to BELIEVE him. I understand that addiction is a DISEASE and hope that he will find peace.

Can people who were victims be "normal" and lead productive lives, never missing a beat? Yes! Absolutely. Can victims who were on a self-destructive path find redemption and turn it around and lead productive, normal, law-abiding lives? You betcha --- with help! I'm living proof of that!

So, Southtexas, you and I will just realize that we have different view points on this issue. I respect your opinion.

Mimi....

You don't KNOW anything. You don't KNOW that this kid was ever molested as a minor.

And I WAS molested as a minor....twice as a matter of fact, once when I was 8 years old and once when I was 13. Did it ruin my life...NO. Did it effect my way of thinking...YES. My Dad whose youth was worse than you can even imagine told me, "You choose to be a victim....when bad things happen to you, you choose to make them positive or negative."

Granted it is not easy, and when kids don't have support and positive influences sometimes it is next to impossible. However I worked with emotionally disturbed teenagers and saw that many of them use and manipulate no matter how much attention and support they receive.

My heart goes out to this young man and I, too, pray for him. However now he is a man, an addicted and self destructive young man. And if you know anything about addiction....you know that it can totally wipe out any conscience you have....you will lie, cheat, steal, destroy those who love you for a fix.

RG - Kudos to you for holding a job and paying your taxes and trying to stay on the right side of the law --- You sound like a stand up kinda guy.
But ---- as a child/teen, have you ever been a victim of a sex crime? If you haven't, let me tell you what can sometimes happen, and I'm telling you from experience: in cases of molestation, usually the perp is someone you trust. A neighbor, a relative, a friend of the family, a priest, a pastor, a deacon, a youth group leader, a teacher. over the course of time, the perp has the victim convinced that if he/she tells, the victim will be in trouble.... I didn't tell my parents because I was afraid they wouldn't love me anymore. The abuse had gone on for years before I had the guts to stand up to my perp and threaten him. I still felt tainted and worthless on the inside, but still had to act like I was "normal". It was like leading a double life. I used to cut myself and didnt' understand why. I would sabotage relationships because I didn't feel I deserved anything good. I abused alcohol so I didnt' have to THINK about what had happened. Oh and because my parents had NO CLUE.... they thought there WAS something crazy in me and sent me to counselling. Did I tell about my abuse. No. I didn't. Not until I was an adult. I nearly self-destructed. I went to rehab, I joined a 12-step program, and I got counselling that only addressed my abuse. I worked through it. No, my perp was never prosecuted. It still lurks in the shadows of my life. But it knows that it is being watched, and it knows I am a strong person now.
Ratcliff's actions led to the victim making the decisions that he has. Now, even though Ratcliff will NOT receive the punishment he deserves, he will be punished. He has been outed, and will be leaving Victoria. His life is ruined even though he isn't going to prison... I'd say: It's just.
I pray for the victim and hope that he will be able to heal, and turn his life around.

Ladyinpink,
I believe myself to be contributing member of society in that I hold a job, pay taxes out of my paycheck so that burdens of society like your so-called victim can attend drug rehab programs, and I try not to get in trouble with the law. Your victim apparently couldn't fill all three requirements. There are thousands upon thousands of stories concerning rape victims who do their very best to make the very best of there lives regardless of what happened to them in the past. Go sell your story to Oprah or Montel because I'm not buying it.

Checks sympathy meter: Nope, nada.

you all can argue the facts as much you'd like and it still won't change a thing. by this time next month, ratcliff will have already selected a different place to reside in, tyler will have started the prosecution of the city officials, and you people will be sitting at your computers either fighting for a drug addict of a victim or ratcliff who'll already have begun the moving on process. it's over as far as im concerned. and i'm not ashamed to say i don't feel a shred of symphaphy for the victim. if he was an actual productive member of society then i probably would, but in this instance...no.

Nun.....Do you really think that as soon as the DPS got the complaint they were going to run to Mr. Ratcliff and ask him if he did it? I hardly think so. They really didn't have a lot to go on...primarily the victim's word after 10 years.

Of course they were not going to let Ratcliff know and were going to get court orders to possibly follow him, tap his phone even, hack into his e-mail accounts....all sorts of things to try to substantiate that Sheriff Ratcliff was indeed a child molestor which would help support the 10 year old accusation. Did they find anything? Obviously not, because they went with the rather flimsy evidence they had....thus the plea bargain.

Sun Jul 6, 2008 05:42:32 CDTNuno, I added events you mentioned into the timeline.In 1997 a 15 year old boy is allegedly sexually assaulted by Ratcliff. Never talks about it to anyone.In 1999 there is a case on record where the same 17 year old kid accuses another man, not Ratcliff, of sexually assaulting him. In that same year, the kid is talking to HOPE of S. Texas, about abuse but doesn't talk about Ratcliff.
 
dog you still don't have a clue .stop trying to tie these to cases to the same person it isn't gone happen because you rely have no clue as to wtf you talking about .the 2 cases are very different . THEY ARE NOT THE SAME ACCUSER AS YOU SAY . I know . like i said it was my brother that accused holter in 99 .. the accuser in rat's case was a freaking witness , as was i but didn't get to take the stand . but see it's people like you . that like to think they now the truth when they really don't so plz stop trying to tie the same person as being the accuser in both cases ....
Hell if your so smart . plz go to the court house , pull the file then look me up and I'll tell you the truth . Of how it messed my life up yr's after my bother had the balls to finally come forward 3 yr's later . have being abused for 5+ yr's . and you now i Carry guilt around with me everyday knowing . that i could have stopped it way before it ever happened to my bother , because it happen to me a few times .
SO really do me a big favor and stop while you-think your ahead . i'm sure you would like to call me a lier , and what not but i now the truth. do you . ( i don't think so ) .
BTW he was acquitted because are A@@hole of a sheriff at the time failed to do his job . being part of the VICTORIA -CPTOV ( child predator team of Victoria ) . And the city ties holter had/has . BUt like i said you no not the truth so plz just stop .

digalitldper and southtexas...

Maybe you two are just TOO FORWARD...
You do seem VERY DEMANDING at times
Maybe you "Asked" to be assaulted!
How do we know you didn't ask for it to cover up for something that you did wrong??

(That's just my way of trying to be on Tyler's side and trying to see things from his perspective)

southtexas--

How do we know that Tyler did not know about the Ratcliff investigation until the hiring was already in progress? Ratcliff probably knew moments after Tyler learned of the investigation.

And why isn't anyone asking why it may have taken 4 months for the DPS investigator to contact the alleged perp? Isn't that part of an investigation---asking the accused if he did it?

can we please just let this die in peace already?

Silentlamb persists in false claims, so I repost this again.  Actually the story was as follows:
*********************
"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 ask McDonald who selected him and if he ever spoke or heard of Tyler before he was selected as the prosecutor.
"Conspiracy" and "cover-up" .... same song with no proof!!

Nun, what you fail to mention is that the investigation was being done by the DPS and Tyler was not aware until the hiring was in the process......by then any withdrawal of the offer of employment would have alerted Mr. Ratcliff to the investigation and the DPS did not want that done.

True, Oh, most definately the investigation began before Tyler even was elected!  Read Related stories next to this article under RATCLIFF TIMELINE:
2006: Texas Department of Public Safety begins investigation into sexual assault accusations against Ratcliff. Tyler was elected in November 2006 and took office in January 2007.
2007: Became DA Stephen Tyler’s chief of staff

nunofmybeeswax based on your timeline, are you certain that the Ratcliff investigation began before Tyler took office?
For many jobs it is difficult to get hired if you are currently under investigation facing possible felony charges. Can you add when Ratcliff was hired by the DA to your timeline?

Dig--You need a refresher on the timeline of this case:

August 2006--Victim makes outcry and DPS initiates investigation
November 2006--Tyler elected to current position
January 1, 2007--Tyler takes office
May 2007--new police chief hired
June 2008--petition filed to oust DA
July 2008--Ratcliff pleads guilty to lying to the grand jury about having sex with victim

Where did you get lost and decide this victim has anything to do with attempts to remove Tyler? That is a real stretch.

southtexas--the victim was not facing any jail time at the time of outcry, but he was on probation. There's a difference. As far as when the alleged act happened--go back and re-read the Ratcliff indictments. They clearly state when this happened. Did Tyler get the dates wrong? Ratcliff may have been the Sheriff, but he had no control over any juvenile facility at that point. So, I don't understand how you think this was because he was fixing to go to jail.

It is just a real shame that our society continues to blame victims, especially child victims for things that adults do to them. It is so completely ludicrous--to think that children control adults! That a child could manipulate an adult----a law enforcement officer at that!!! I'd be embarrassed to admit that.

JMO--you are correct--Ratcliff is a liar.

And, Dig--are you saying that your counseling file was spead all over town by WHO? If that is so, why didn't you file a complaint?

I'm writing a book due out when I retire in about 8 years. Other than that, I don't want to talk about it right now. It is what it is. You don't mess with the powers in Victoria. (If you sit by the river long enough, though, you'll see your enemies float on by, lol.) I have two careers now. I am a chemistry teacher and a certified medical lab technician. When I was inbetween teaching jobs I went to Victoria College and got a wonderful second degree in lab work. I have a wonderful family. God is good to me. I cannot complain.

WOOHOO.....I am shocked that false allegations were made against you in the school system....if anything you should understand the possibilty of someone and often it is an underaged someone falsely accusing a teacher, a policeman, a sheriff of an act that was never committed to get even, to get attention or for whatever reason.

Dig never even remotely insinuated that all teachers molest their kids...no way. It does happen....for the most part I think the kids or actually young adults are very active in instigating the crime....and people please don't jump all over me about a 16 or 17 year old still being a child. I know that. I also know how seductive both the girls and the boys can be at that age and even younger. When I was in high school in was almost common for high school girls to secretly date the young teachers. Was it wrong...sometimes probably, however I do know two couples with 40 year marriages that started out that way.

Now when you talk about the younger children....people who prey on elementary and junior high are ALWAYS PERVERTS!!! However that is not saying that these kids don't know what power they weld with a report of inappropriate touching about a teacher they do not like. Everyone one of them have watched MSNBC's Justice series and have seen people arrested for just talking online to underaged individuals.

It is an issue with many sides and many considerations.

I'm sorry I misunderstood, Dig.

Just My Opinion.....that is called being "closed minded". I have read and considered your post and your reasoning and you won't read mine. Fair and balanced thinking? NOT

I've got a problem with you, dig, insinuating that teachers; molest their students. I AM a victim too, dig, a victim of false accusations that were turned around as a direct attack upon me as a result of my turning in two referrals on students who were vulgar-mouthed and said awful things to me that would make you blush in front of my whole class. The two boys were sons of the top tier of Victoria at the time. I was humiliated and retaliated upon for reporting it as sexual harassment towards myself.  I lost my job. I lost my friends. I went through alot of depression but I never lost faith. God has seen me through all of that and brought me this far by faith. Vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord. I am happier now than ever.
Oh, and I've been teaching going on 11 years since.  I've been nominated for teacher of the year twice and won it, too.  I'm good to all my students and treat them like my own children.  I've NEVER laid a hand on anyone other than my darling husband.  I've never been arrested, either,

Sat Jul 5, 2008 12:14:26 CDT
In 1997 a 15 boy is allegedly sexually assaulted by Ratcliff. Never talks about it to anyone.
In 1999 there is a case on record where the same 17 year old kid accuses another man, not Ratcliff, of sexually assaulting him. In that same year, the kid is talking to HOPE of S. Texas, about abuse but doesn't talk about Ratcliff.
In 2000, the now 18 year old man is subpoenaed by PROSECUTORS as a witness in Marvin Hoelter's indecency trial. It is alleged he didn’t appear in court and Hoelter was acquitted of the charge.
In 2003, the 21 year old is convicted on felony drug charges and put on probation. As part of his probation, he must attend counseling and still doesn’t mention Ratcliff. After he repeatedly fails to live up to his probation terms and is faced with actual jail time as a known homosexual, he then mention’s Ratcliff.

You sir need the get your facts straight . Mr holter wasn't acquitted because he didn't show . i now .i was in court that everyday with my brother . Having to look at a man that not only molested my brother but me ....... And yes i personally know the person . accuseing ratcliffe . SO before you speak get your facts ......a victim is a victim weather you want to believe him are not .......funny thing when you have friends in high places ............

JUST LIKE MARVIN HOLTER WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE GUILDY OF MOLSTION CHILDREN . JUST AS RATCLIFE WILL ALWAYS BE A PROV.

P.s if you only knew what i now about Mr holter . you would fill sorry for any child he and his wife ever folsterd . and was Meany .............

and rat is just as guilty as any .

STX,Yes,I do know it happened before this(jail time) and if I know the victim I will not tell you that.
There's no reason for me to read what you wrote at the bottom of this forum for I am posting my own opinion based on my thoughts and not your opinions.Thanks.
 

Just my opinion, please read my post from yesteday at the bottom of this thread at ll:49....it will give you multiple reasons why someone would accept a pleas bargain even if they were totally innocent. And if you stop and think about it and put yourself in those shoes....you can bet that you would also.
Are you sure this happened before this young man was in trouble with the law?  How do you know that?   I think perhaps you are wrong.

This Sheriff bullied this juvenile from the time Ratcliff posed as a female over the Internet.Then he forces the boy to do sexual acts inside of a vehicle.
I'd be scared to tell as well if I were in the victims shoes.
What gets me is first Ratcliff lied and said he never had a sexual relationship with this juvenile then he pleads guilty to perjury for lying under oath.Now,Ratcliff is claiming that it was consensual.Sounds like a bunch a bull to me.I know if I was accused of something I didn't do I would have NO reason to lie under oath for I would take it to the Supreme Court or what ever necessary to prove my innocence.
One thing we do know is,Ratcliff is a liar and some of you need to be reminded over and over again that this happened before the victim was in trouble with the law!

Mim....even if I know of the victim how could I possibly know the details of the case unless I was there....that's just plain silly. Think about what you are saying.

And no....I am not saying that every young victim of sexual abuse is lying....not even close. I am saying that I have worked with emotionally disturbed kids and that sometimes even those that are truly victimized in the beginning learn to use the victimization as a tool to get what they want or even make up stories of other events to manipulate.

Most assuredly those with substance abuse problems use all these tactics to get what they need and what they want. A kid or an adult needing a fix will tell you anything, do anything, sell anything, abandon any friend or relative, turn against his parents, steal from those who love him to get a fix. I've seen it over and over and over again.

Dig, I am sorry that you were victimized by someone who is supposed to uphold the law and by the others. I trully am. Whether as an adult or a child, no one deserves that. And to be further victimized and manipulated by others seeking political gain is unconsciencable.... Do you now understand why this kid did NOT want this to be reported... and I don't have all the details about the case, but it would seem like yes, there are persons who would like to use this situation for their own selfish agenda... However, I do not believe that includes Ure, Buntello or Tyler. According to what I've been told, VPD and VCSO were NOT informed of the circumstances until AFTER the case had been reported to a higher LE agency by the counselor.

Right now, the victim in this case is incarcerated for his crimes. He knows that he has to accept responsiblilty for his actions. But you can't say that just because someone made bad choices that they are liars.

JRV: You are wrong in that the "victim" got nothing from it....He had broken his probation and was headed back to jail when he came up with this sad story and he ended up free....however in a matter of weeks, he was back in trouble again and now is back in jail. In fact, I heard that he has been out twice and back since the initial accusations were made. It is even, in my opinion, at least a possibility that someone in power with an axe to grind with Ratcliff dropped a bug in this kid's ear and the story appeared. The victim has been more than verbal in all this....his name is not being printed because the alleged crime took place while he was a minor...I don't think this has anything to do with a request from him. He has given multiple interviews to the paper and has garnered a lot of attention from this. And more people than not know who he is.

Southtexas: "Perhaps because you do not know the young man who is claiming to be a "victim" in this case you are assuming a lot. Believe me....there are so many unanswered questions in this case that is astounding." -- Does this mean you DO know the victim? If so, and you knew all along that there was no facts to this case and the "victim" was only "Manipulating" the circumstances to stay out of trouble, then didn't you feel that you had the obligation to bring that to the attention of the investigators? That would have saved Mr. Ratcliff and the tax payers of Victoria County a whole lot of money? Then, instead of having Ratcliff cop a plea, we would have had a dangerous loose cannon behind bars where he couldn't make false accuasations against good people like the leaders of Victoria?You further went on to say: "if you think that young people and for that matter even victims do not falsify stories for attention, for sympathy, to get themselves out of trouble, to blackmail adults in power...then you are wrong....dead wrong." --- what are you saying there southtexas? That people who are sexually assaulted are lying about it and making it up for all the attention they receive? WRONG!!! DEAD WRONG!

In reply to southtexas. If you think this victim is falsifying to get attention and get out of trouble, I think you are wrong. This bit of info that he eventually let out is not something anybody would want to reveal, no matter what. He is still is in trouble and is in jail so he did not get anything out of it, and he does not want to release his name. So he does not want attention.

Darlin.....I understand where you are coming from. I too was a victim of sexual assault....twice, once at age 8 and once at 13.....I'm not going to say it was the most horrible thing in my life because it wasn't....I chose not to let it be. Perhaps because you do not know the young man who is claiming to be a "victim" in this case you are assuming a lot. Believe me....there are so many unanswered questions in this case that is astounding.

And if you think that young people and for that matter even victims do not falsify stories for attention, for sympathy, to get themselves out of trouble, to blackmail adults in power...then you are wrong....dead wrong.

It is a fact....and I have seen it on more than one occasion where victims learn to use the perks of being a "victim" to their advantage.....that is a known part of the syndrome. Whether this kid was a victim or not, he is most certainly a kid with a lot of problems who has turned into a man with a lot of problems and my heart goes out to him and his family. However I am fearful that he may have ruined a lot of other people's lives with the manipulative behavior he has learned to use to his advantage.

I cannot believe that they let this crooked ex-sherriff off with just a slap on the hand. That just goes to show that lawyers and the higher-ups in this town do and will try to cover-up or make things sound like it happened,but it was consensual. If he does something again and hurts somebody, I hope all these lawyers that were involved can live with themselves. It could be their kid or grandchild. Think about it.

Dig, you say that you understand from a victim's perspective, but yet you are unwilling to show the victim in this case any empathy. I don't get it... Did you not find it difficult to trust any male after that incident? Speaking for myself, as a survivior.... before I finally got into therapy, I say every blue collar male as a potential rapist. Think about it this way... the kid was assaulted by an adult who happened to be a law enforcement officer.... would you trust another law enforcement officer? So who was he supposed to tell about this? I'm not asking you change your opinion, just try not to be so blinded to other's points of views.

Ladyinpink - You are very correct... for those of us who have been victims of sexual assault, it is difficult to discuss it with ANYONE. What if we aren't believed? What if we are blamed? What if we tell the wrong person and become a victim again? What if someone now thinks that I am a homosexual because I was raped by a person of the same sex... what if someone thinks I was asking for it? what if someone thinks I'm a wh*re? That's from an adults perspective.... now imagine a very young teen's views. First of all, according to earlier reports, the first incident occurred when Ratcliff, posing as a female, lured this teen from his home... ok, the kid messed up by sneaking out of the house... I can take a guess as to why he didn't immediately tell his parents.... he probably assumed they'd be more angry at him for breaking a rule than what happened....

I think it's disgusting that some of you are blaming the victim and demanding that his name be published... why? so you people who don't believe him can go harrass him and ridicule him? He may not be a minor now, but there is still pain from this assault.

You people can just go on believing that he "made it up" because he is a junkie, and has a criminal record... No! He turned to that lifestyle because of what Ratcliff did! Ratcliff took the plea bargain to stay out of jail, yes... but let me pose this question .... if Ratcliff is innocent of ALL charges/allegations, why is it, that part of this plea agreement, is that Ratcliff must NOT be on internet chatrooms nor view porn??? (the viewing porn stuff should be applicable to ALL men, IMO) To me, that little addendumn is very telling.

Snakebite...You said that you find it hard to believe that Ratcliff's accuser was his first and only victim. Yeah, that is hard to believe. Where are the others? Where is the evidence that it happened? You say you can't believe a man who has been accused because the accusation is sexual in nature and says he abused a child. I say I can't believe the "victim" because he's a junkie who was looking at having his probation revoked. He'd say ANYTHING to stay out of jail. By the way, THAT is the reason Ratcliff pled to the perjury charge...to stay out of jail. ANYTHING is better than jail -- especially for a former cop. The thing that, more than anything else, makes me doubt the accusation against Ratcliff is that the guy making waited almost a DECADE to say anything. So many on here say that they'd never plead guilty to something they didn't do if they were innocent. Yet, they readily believe a JUNKIE who didn't say anything at the time he says it happened. Don't you think you'd be yelling from the rooftops that you'd been assaulted, raped, abused, by the sheriff? I know I would. There is no shame in being a victim. If what he says happened really happened, why didn't he make his accusations THEN? No, I don't believe him simply BECAUSE he is a junkie and I don't think you can believe anything any junkie has to say. He may be telling the truth, but because he's a junkie, I can't take anything he says at face value. If he can offer up some evidence, then I'll change my mind. Does he have a Monica-like garment with stains from which DNA can be obtained? One other thing I don't understand is the Advocate not identifying him. They say it's because he was a minor when this allegedly happened. Well, he's not a minor now and he wasn't a minor when he made the accusations. It's too late to protect a minor now, so, let's have ALL the names printed in the paper.

Where, in Heaven's name, did I miss the post that said Ratcliff is innocent? I thought I had read them all.

One last thing on all of this to all of those who don't believe it happened - the victim took two polygraph tests regarding his allegations. He passed both. Ratcliff, on the other hand, did not take one polygraph. Go ahead all of you Ratcliff supporters and verbalize the typical retort...anyone can fake a polygraph or that they are not accurate. If Ratcliff would have submitted one and passed, then there would be controversy about who's telling the truth. If he had taken one and failed there would be no doubt about the accuracy of the victim's claims. If Ratcliff is innocent then why not take one? I think you all know the answer to that question.

I hate to say I live here. This is just going to send a message to all abusers that it is Ok to commit these acts. Keep your children close to you at all times. You will not get justice if it happens to your family. To all that support the plea bargain: Put yourself in the victim's shoes ans his family's shoes. What would you do if it happened to you or your child? It doesn't matter that he was in office for multiple terms; he deserves what any average person would get. Definitely more than a slap on the wrist. I sure hope the judge looks at all sides and realizes that if he does accept the plea bargain, he supports the abuse just like all the others. I hope the judge puts himself in the victim's parents shoes and doesn't accept it. Ratlipps is "sick" and we don't need him on the streets. He's already bragging that it is all going to be wiped clean. Judge: bust his bubble.

JC wrote: You scum bucket backers game for that?
I never voted for Ratcliff or supported him, like some of the folks here did,  that are teed off at him.  You elected him how many times? However JC, that kind of talk is uncalled for.

To all of you believers in Ratcliff:

I first recived a phone call almost eleven years ago in reference to what Ratcliff along with others were doing to young boys in Victoria (Particualry in Northcrest or a neighborood near by). I contacted the FBI field office in Houston and reported what I was told. Trust me, there is proof other than hear say, both on paper and otherwise. It sure would be nice if the backers of Ratcliff and his buddies could be placed on one definative side, so that when it is time to PAY they would be responsible along with the deviants, rather than the whole town! You scum bucket backers game for that?

I guess my earlier statement of this being your determination holds. It's funny how many people place their take on the events and then twist things and then pass it off as fact. Of course Tyler suggested McDonald as the prosecutor in this case....there probably were no other ones in the area that were both qualified and detached from the defendant.

No more than I already have. Good night.

So, you then must have inside information....care to share?

No sir, TYLER's.

I think "specifically" is your determination.

TYLER specifically recommended McDonald and yes Luitjen approved him.

As stated before, Luitjen had to approve of the Special Prosecutor.

well, tstorm5, 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.

Finally, this thing can come to an end. We have already spent more time on this then needed. I am not going to defend Mr. Tyler or Mr. Ratcliff anymore then I am I am going to defend them. But just for kicks,

"Hey little boy, you want some candy? I got some in my pocket."
BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Maybe the Advocate doesn't give the other criminals in Victoria the same amount of coverage as they have done for the Fatal Four - so no one else knows that there are still other trials going on and other criminals being convicted.
So to that I say...Way to go, Steve-o!  Keep up the good work!!

JMO - you are correct - this is far from being "For Victoria's sake". Maybe it is for Ratcliff's sake, it may seem.
Although, it is definitely for tyler's sake, as he is Victoria's DA; carrying the weight of the world on his shoulder's; expected to uphold the "letter of the law" (as Victorian's SHOULD expect of him).  Thus, relieving Victoria's streets of deviants, and thugs, and such.
However, he was 'hit' from within, by one of his own people, no less; the man is bruised. Scorned, if you will. This is personal business (albeit a contradiction in terms).
Oh, and has anyone noticed that there are far more than '4' law-breakers/criminals/sexual-deviants/thugs (the list goes on) on the streets - right NOW??  Yeah.......good job steve'o.

My personal belief is that these 4 thought they could get Tyler out of their way, so that they could continue the good-ol' boy business that runs this town. I think they were tired of Tyler holding them accountable to the positions that they held. I guess they thought they could win..........

It's true.....steve'o is JUST a man.
With that clear, human nature takes charge over ANY office held (obviously - Ratcliff, the four, and the list goes on) has proven that to be true.
tyler is NO different (as far as steve is concerned - this is ALL personal).  he is just the lucky one...however, I hear that luck runs short, at times.

Hmm...was waiting for one (or two) of you to re-cap steve's publically claimed reasons he had to endict the four; which can be traced back within VicAd's archives.

I was also waiting on a few of you to enlighten the rest of us with the personal reasons that tyler would have to pull these punches, as it were.

Taker's? Anyone?

"For Victoria's sake?"

This has nothing to do with Victoria's sake.

If anyone cared for us citizens of Victoria they would lock this pedophile up behind bars (regardless of whom the man is)to keep Victoria's children Safe and out of harms way.

IMO,it's for Ratcliff's sake.

Excellently worded, tstorm!

One might even say that the next four up abused their authoritative positions as well, but not in the same manner as Ratcliff. Even still, the public trust has been destroyed with all of these public officials mis-using their positions. It's going to be a long haul to clean this mess up and I am glad that Tyler is willing to get the cleanser out and start getting rid of all of this dirt!

"...do the math when the next four take their plea deals and/or get their convictions...
"VCC - Yes, they too may be given a plea, as their actions earned them an endictment (not yet convicted - if you will) although, they clearly broke the law (as the letter reads).
As Ratcliff abused his law enforcement status, he was fortunate enough to have been offered this plea. It may not be as "easy" (yes, Ratcliff was pampered, unintentionally - MAYBE); but the next four up for review of their indictments may not be so fortunate.  All for the cause of weighing out truths and it being the right thing to do.
Perspective is not always so clear to one, as it is to another.

soTx...you poor, poor dear. don't take it so personal.

obviously, it is another perspective to consider = had you given it a rational-second.

I won't hold it against you...now, go get some rest, as always being on the defense is obviously a tiresome job.

I guess we can do the math when the next four take their plea deals and/or get their convictions...and then sit back and watch all of the civil lawsuits against the City roll in because they left these "innocent until proven guilty, yet felony idicted" individuals in place. When was the last time you saw a town go bankrupt?

HNN....Oh yes, that makes about as much sense as the theory that Bush orchestrated the bombing of the world trade center and that the Holocaust was a farce.

"...cover up on Tyler's part. That was the whole basis for Tyler recusing himself since they were implicating him in all this..." Uhm....NOT!
At the risk of mere opposition (not too high a gamble) I can remember tyler NOT wanting, or [initially] thinking it necessary to recuse himself from this case --- VicAd can produce a past posting on it --- thus, it was suggested and practically demanded, but NOT by tyler...no,no.
Additionally, with the more than OBVIOUS "conflict of interest" involved in the case, the endless reasons steve'o found those "four meddling kids" quickly needed to be indicted (or, made to 'shut-up')....well...do the math and it SHOULD add up (for most of you). 

Back-up a bit...

BECAUSE OF Ratcliff's deviant actions, which should have been under investigation with the DA, tyler has been sweating bullets for many, many months now.

his own reputation was on the line, and that of his entire office. he was not exactly 'for' relinquishing his "place" in this very 'personal' matter...OBVIOUSLY.

Hey dig....are you getting as tired of this arm-chair-lawyer-ing as much as I am?
There are so many political authorities out there making their "expert" comments that make me believe we should have plenty of candidates for the next local elections.....or will we? Every year there are so many voices yet when elections roll around there are few candidates, if any other than the incumbents.
Maybe there is a large class of political science majors at UHV now?

NUN....I am willing to bet that in spite of your low opinion of your family that they would opt to believe in you and convince you not to put yourself through hell for naught.

southtexas - you know the victim? And how long have you known him?

Good observation, JMRH. At this point though, indicting Ratcliff for perjury would be a moot point. It'd be useless to indict someone for something they've already pled guilty to.
But boy, I bet Tyler's doin' the "I coulda had a V-8" thing after reading your post. :-)
Ernie

comments on the Houston Chronicle article about this situation seem to be relating Victoria officials to Brokeback Mountain. What does that mean?

NUN...Mr. Ratcliff pled guilty to lying about having consensual sex with a grown man. He did not plead guilty to having sex with a minor. How many times does that have to be pointed out.
And Snakebite, you are right....I do not know that Ratcliff did not do what he is accused of, only the two involved people and God know.  You are wrong however...I do know the victim other than what is printed in the paper. 
However, I have a great deal more reason to believe that Mike Ratcliff did not have sex with a minor than most people on here have reason to believe that he did.

SouthTexas, No. My family works like this, we would NOT admit to molesting a child if we did NOT do it. No! No! No way. We also were brought up to understand that there are negative consequences to negative behaviours. I had a very loving home and no one would ever want me to lie about anything, muchless something so very vile. What part of NO do you not understand? I know that you are trying to "justify" Ratcliff's sins to yourself, me, the internet world, but it ain't working with me. Sorry.

southtexas - You say he did not rape a boy. How do you know? You ask if the other poster was there and saw it happen. The obvious answer is no. So...how do you KNOW it DIDN'T happen? Because you know Ratcliff? Do you KNOW what's in his heart and mind? Do you KNOW the victim? If not, how do you KNOW whether he's telling the truth or not? Your opinions are based on your familiarity with Ratcliff and what the media has said about the victim. But you don't KNOW whether it happened or not. You can only surmise and choose what you want to believe but your belief is no more based on fact than anyone elses.

tstorm....the guy that received the 4 million??? year sentence most likely had some evidence that would stand up in court. Dontcha think.

Silentlamb....Mike Ratcliff never gave anyone a reason for raping a boy....he did not rape a boy. Or perhaps you know different because you were there and watched. Might I ask just how you know for certain what happened? Are you a medium....clarivoyant...or just invisible and watch a lot of crime....ridiculous!
And NUN....your family would know you and know that you were innocent. They would be the ones encouraging you to end all of this and plead to guilty even if you were not guilty because they love you and know you and know what you are capable of, and molesting children is not on the list....and they would be doing it because they would know that you were sick and destitute...not because of the embarressment to them. However you would think of ending the pain for those you love. I don't know how your family works, but that's the way mine does.
As far as there being other "victims".  It seems that when a victim of child abuse comes forth....for example when the Catholic priests were charged, it was only a matter of weeks or days before others had the courage to join them.  Where are the other victims?  I am sure the DPS and every LE agency involved has tried to find other victims.  It is strange that there are none.

So then... If Ratcliff lied to the grand jury... doesn't that mean Tyler needs to Indict him for the same charges as the other 4 officials? Where is Tyler... time to do your job again!! Someone else broke he law that you live up to??!!!

Good post, Nun.
Po dunk;
If a criminal defendant mounts a collateral appeal, it could conceivably end up as high as the U.S. Supreme Court. However, my point wasn't to argue legal semantics but to illuminate the obvious.In other words, it's just a saying.Now, good bye and Happy Fourth!!! Gotta work this weekend.Don't mess with intelligence, Po.

No SouthTexas, I disagree with you. I would desperately fight to the finish to prove my innocence instead of lying and saying I was guilty of a devient act of molestation of a child. It would be much more shameful and horrendous for my family and loved ones to believe that I could do something that perverted. I would be an idiot to admit guilt to something I was innocent of. Face the fact that your friend has admitted his guilt.

southtexas in your profile you stated: " My friends say that I could find good in Charlie Manson or Jeffrey Dahmer.....and I can, in both cases. I believe that everyone does things for a reason"...Sick and evil people do, do things for a reason. What reasons did Mike Ratcliff give you for raping a boy?

NUN........read what I wrote and think about it....I was not using any of those points to justify a light sentence. I was trying to explain to those who listen why Mike Ratcliff....or for that matter, you or I or anyone else in this world might choose to not fight to the finish to prove their innocence instead of actually lying and saying they were guilty in order to end the horror for everyone involved. Mike Ratcliff, or you, or I would be idiots not to end the horror for the people we love as quickly as possible.

and thank you, Nun, for bit of desperately needed sanity.

Ernie

WooHoo....you speak of your family a great deal. You are saying that even if your fight to prove your innocence would cause extreme stress and disruption to your children, grandchildren perhaps, nieces, nephews, sisters, brothers, in-laws, friends...every person in your life that you cared anything for every person that you loved and that loved you...you would still pursue that all out avenue to prove your innocence when you were offered a reasonable out....even if you had to admit guilt that perhaps was not yours. I don't believe you would....not if anything you have said about the love you have for your family is true.

The fact that Mike Ratcliff is in poor health is not an excuse to give him a light sentence....everyone keeps repeating that. I was stating that fact as an additional reason why he might choose to plead to a charge that he did not do. The man is destitute with no chance of obtaining any kind of employment in the area of service he dedicated his life to. I know you have hardened your heart and that does not touch you, but it does me.

Also....again, this has been pointed out a million times already...even if what Mr. Ratcliff pled to is true, which personally I feel it is not, he does not admit to molesting this boy as a child, but of consensual sex with an adult.

SouthTexas: I do not condem anyone to Hell, only a lost soul condems oneself to Hell. I can not say whether Mike Ratcliff has confessed his sins and has received Jesus as his Savior, that is between him and his maker. His eternal destination is only known by our Father in heaven.
 I will say this to you; HORSE HOCKY on all your other ramblings:
 "Mike Ratcliff is in horrible health and has been for years...I cannot go into details of course, but he has several conditions that are life threatening."  So? Are we to let all criminals who are ill off because of illness? I'm not into Karma, of course, but I should say I do wonder what the connection is between his history and his health...
"Mike Ratcliff has extended family who have been greatly effected by the publicity of this whole fiasco...some of them children and young adults, nieces and nephews and others."   EVERY perp, usually, has family or friends that are affected by the perp's poor judgment. What it shows is that, once again, the perp failed to weigh the consequences of his actions against the welfare of those who are connected to him. Selfishness to the NTH degree.
"Mike Ratcliff watched his father die, only weeks ago, from a broken heart, literally. The stress of the accusations and hatred in this town definitely contributed to this good man's death."   I am very sure that Jimmy Ratcliff died of a broken heart. To learn that your once respected child has done so heinous and dispicable is heartbreaking. Again, Ratcliff failed to consider his family when engaging in his deviant behavior. But, then again, I suppose he never thought he'd be found out.
And, as far as him pleading to a crime to save the *whatever* of a trial, keep telling yourself that he is innocent. Only a fool would take a plea for a crime he did not commit (and I believe he's admitted to lying...) because he did not trust the judicial system. That kind of thinking puts you squarely in the anti-Tyler camp now doesn't it? 
Bottom line...Ratcliff has no one to blame but himself. When you choose the behavior, you've chosen the consequence.

Well, Pat, you'll never see the evidence now, will you? Duh! You seem sure the guy is innocent anyway so I doubt evidence would sway you. I suppose you think OJ was innocent, too? Just because there's evidence doesn't mean a guilty party will be found guilty. I guess we can all say that there are supporters of Ratcliff who will never believe he was capable of such a thing and there are those who have no doubt. No amount of arguing or evidence will change their minds.

Thanks SouthTX--for some sanity.

Mr. Ratcliff admitted to lying to the Grand Jury. He is guilty of perjury. He probably (because he admits lying to the Grand Jury) is guilty of having sex with another man. As a matter of fact, what other inference could you draw? However; your beef is now not with Mr. Ratcliff. It is with the DA pro temp who offered the plea bargain if the judge lets it stand. One article in the Advocate stated that this case has been going on since the abused was a minor. He is now 25 years old. That means this case has been going on at least 8 years. I can't say what I would or wouldn't do, but if it were me I might just decide after 8 years that I'd take whatever I could get to be done with the whole thing. I still say that if Mr. Ratcliff went to trial here or elsewhere and a jury of his peers acquitted him based on lack of evidence, this town would be just as up in arms as it is now. I think the only thing that would appease some of the posters on here would be if someone got a rope, dished out a little vigilante justice and hanged him with the only judge and jury being these posters. Thank God, it just doesn't work that way!

By the way, I am still puzzled about the "sexual abuse of a minor" verdict that some of you are accusing Mr. Ratcliff of. Please, please, please just show me the evidence so I can get over this! I don't want hearsay. I want EVIDENCE as should we all.

Hey pat,
Isn't accepting a plea admitting guilt? Doesn't perjury mean he lied to the Grand Jury? Why lie if you are innocent and have nothing to hide?
To address some comments here I will admit to making mistakes in the past. I think we all have. As for a fair and impartial jury, who knows if one could be seated here in Victoria. I doubt it, with all the strong opinions on this and other news making events of late. But I would have liked to see this tried by a jury and not settled by a few who may or may not represent the opinions of the people of Victoria.
As to some posts addressing Mr. Ratcliff's family, I feel very sorry some folks may judge them based on his actions. I do not.

Pat their are so many what ifs here! Someone to blame health issues for someone not serving time is an excuse!

I'm just saying, Pat, I'm not going to feel sorry for him because his friends say he is "in bad health". My best friend is a smoker who had a double mastectomy, chemo, etc. She isn't a child molester and she continues to work. I, myself, have had to begin high blood pressure and diabetic meds. I still work two jobs, help my kids get through college, and I am not a child molester. NOPE. I don't feel sorry for him.
If the shoe had been on the other foot, and I was falsely accused, arrested, and charged, I would have gone all the way to the supreme court to defend myself and my family's name even if I DIED in the process.  Still don't feel sorry for him.

I'm sorry, woohoo. I entirely missed your point. My little sister died 10 years ago from breast cancer and continued to smoke after a double mastectomy, radiation and chemo. I just don't get what you are trying to say? Do you sincerely think that people who are ill don't continue on their daily life's paths?

Even if this case went to trial and even if Mr. Ratcliff's health would be able to withstand such a trial, the people in Victoria who absolutely hate him would probably not like a verdict from a local jury. That is because, as a fine, upstanding citizen only wanting to uphold the law, not one of them during voir dire could say he/she would be impartial. If he/she did, he/she would be lying and would be perjuring himself/herself which these fine people would never do. Since it would probably be "impossible" to seat an impartial jury in Victoria, a change of venue would be in order. But, wait. That jury would swear to be impartial and if, as Mr. McDonald says, there is no evidence that Mr. Ratcliff had sexual relations with the young man while he was a minor except for the he said/he said version, then Mr. Ratcliff would probably be acquitted of all charges which would likely have the people in Victoria who hate Ratcliff up in arms again. People, this is not about who hates whom and who loves whom. It is about the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. In your mind he is guilty. However, until he is judged guilty by a jury of his peers, he is presumed innocent. I hope you all believe that because one day the shoe could be on the other foot. It could be you, your child or your grandchild facing charges, whether valid or not; but I'd think you'd at least want to be given the benefit of the doubt until actual evidence proved otherwise.

Ah, SouthTexas, welcome. Happy Fourth of July! A poster, Den, posted this morning before his post was censored for bad language and removed, that Ratcliff comes into that grocery store, Oak Hill?, in mission valley to buy Miller Lite and he has seen him there on occasion. His point was that Ratcliff must not be in such bad health if he can drink beer. I think most of us missed this at 5am this morning.
Ratcliff probably DID work his way up.  However, he was very close pals with the upper eschalon types.  Mayor Ted Reed and all of his powers that be, and then Mayor Middleton who followed. 
I am not really a believer in Karma, but if I were, I would say that it has come back around and bit the false accusers in the rear end.  I tend instead to believe in "vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord". 
That's fine and dandy that he accepted a guilty plea deal.  I tend to think that the judge should put his name on the sex offender list, however.  If I had ever touched a child, I would have been arrested, a jury would have convicted me and I wouldn't be able to "bend over to get a bar of soap" at the jail shower.

How many of you with the lynch mob mentality have even thought to consider the following things.

Mike Ratcliff is in horrible health and has been for years...I cannot go into details of course, but he has several conditions that are life threatening.

Mike Ratcliff has extended family who have been greatly effected by the publicity of this whole fiasco...some of them children and young adults, nieces and nephews and others.

Mike Ratcliff watched his father die, only weeks ago, from a broken heart, literally. The stress of the accusations and hatred in this town definitely contributed to this good man's death.

Mike Ratcliff has a lot of enemies in this town. He was never one to hold back on stepping on the toes of those who were the "elite". He was not the elite and came from very humble beginnings and worked himself up in the sheriff's department from dispatcher. You people talk about him as though he is rich and powerful. That is so not true.

Mike Ratcliff also has a lot of enemies in this town among those who broke the law....again he pulled no punches when it came to sending people to jail.

There was a movement among certain citizens to get Mike Ratcliff to run for sheriff again, but since he could not because of his health he had been asked to support a candidate. A lot of people were not pleased with the present sheriff's spend, spend, spend policy and the loss of a lot of good people from the sheriff's department after the new sheriff arrived. Strangely shortly after this movement started getting organized the victim appeared.

Mike Ratcliff does not have the strength or endurance to survive a prolonged trial even though he may have felt certain he could have won. Again...subjecting himself and those who loved him to months and months of more of the horror that has transpired in recent months.

The appointed D.A. obviously did not feel that the evidence in this case was sufficient to get a full conviction or he would have not offered the plea bargain.

Mike Ratcliff pled guilty to charges that were not necessarily true in order to spare himself and his family months of drama to obtain a win that some of the people in this town would swear was a set-up anyway. Sometime you must choose your battles.

Mike Ratcliff would have been a fool not to accept this plea bargain and doing so proves nothing other than he does not have the strength or the perseverence to subject himself and his family to the horrors of a trial.

For all you out there who are so judgmental....damning him to hell, ranting and raving, I do so hope that you nor any of your family are ever falsely accused of anything. But you know....sometimes there is something called Karma and the evil we put forth bounces back to hurt us.

This whole thing screams cover up.

Now, I'm wondering who else was involved and who was trying to affect the outcome before it went to trial.

"They had sex after the accuser was an adult, and it was always consensual, Filley said." This statement is just that...a statement. It does not exclude the possibility that the sex occured before he was an adult. You can read whatever you want to into the statement. If you are a Ratcliff supporter, then your mind is closed to any other possibilities and your assumption is that the victim was an adult when all of this started. If you are open-minded enough to consider all of the possiblities, then you can
also come to the conclusion that it started before he was an adult and continued afterward. It's a defense attorney's play on words while omitting the full story. Don't fall for it. As the mother of a victim I am well aware of how words can be twisted to make the victim seem guilty.

vcc- you and tyler talk the same talk, "co-conspirators". Your/his favorite theory.  btw, I am not throwing Tyler under the bus. Tyler laid down  (*his morals long a ago) and has done that to himself! 

I may just be reading this all wrong and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am; but as I understand this, a young man alleged that he was sexually abused as a minor by Mr. Ratcliff. He only reported this abuse when his probation was going to be revoked. Mr. Ratcliff was brought up on charges before a Grand Jury. The case was set to go to trial. A plea bargain was reached. Ratcliff's attorney says that he did have consenual sex with the alleged victim after he reached the age of maturity. He also stated that if the case had gone to trial there would have been NO evidence of the sexual abuse of a minor. I haven't seen a statement where the Grand Jury asked Mr. Ratcliff if he had sex with his accuser when he came to his house as a minor. I haven't seen a statement where the Grand Jury asked Mr. Ratcliff is he had made unwanted or sexual advances against his accuser as a minor. Did Ratcliff admit he lied? Yes, he did? Is he a pedophile? We'll never know. I just want to ask the people posting here who are so outraged over the plea bargain if they are really ready and willing to spend God knows how much money to bring this to trial with so little evidence. Most of you on here have already tried and convicted him with no money spent. Believe me. I am not standing up for Mr. Ratcliff. If he is, indeed, a pedophile and it can never be proven in a court of law, there is a much higher power that is going judge and convict him.

Silentlamb, please do us all a favor and remain silent - as well as your co-conspirator taxpayer. The judge was the one that had to approve the special prosecutor. And why would Tyler interfere with the special prosecutor and provide ammunition for the 10 minus 4 that continue to waste their money filing frivolous petitions? Get real and quit trying to throw Tyler under the bus on this one.

Thank you, Taxpayingregisteredvoter! Tyler indeed had a hand in this. Remember back in February, Tyler was ordered by Luitjen to get a posecutor.

Everytime I see that video, I get sick to my stomach. Our town/county has been soo disgraced by these actions.
For those that are soo naive to think Tyler didn't have a hand with the plea deal... may you find your quarter under your pillow tonight from the "truth" fairy!

We don't know how many others Ratcliff may have molested. It is hard to believe and very doubtful (at least to me)this young man was his first and only victim. Fortunately for the city, this young man was brave enough to step forward. Otherwise, Ratcliff would have had the freedom to continue his perverted acts against minors. Are there any of you out there that had a similar act against you when you were young but you never told anyone? Ratcliff admitted to lying to the GJ which amounts to admitting he had sex with a minor. If innocent, would you admit to anything? The so-called special prosecutor said, "Ratcliff is a former sheriff who is in poor health, so a jury would not likely convict". So what did he have to lose? He is guilty...he knows it and the victim knows it and now, I think, we all know it.

Is anyone surprised at how this has played out? I for one am not. I have come to expect this type of thing in Victoria. Again justice has been denied. A childs life may have been forever ruined by a person of (onetime) great authority and trust in our community. And now this person will pay a minimal cost for his perverted actions. Does anyone wonder if this "accused" sexual predator may have abused his powers with others? Were there more of our children scarred by this man?
I am ashamed of our community leaders, who will let this go unpunished. But remember, there will be another Judge in the end!

I wonder if the victim remembers the jailer's name that used to transport him to ratlipps office! Can the victim file a civil suit against ratlipps? He should!

I have an extremely proficient knowledge of how our system works. That's why I stated that if the sex was consensual, and between adults, no crime was committed. The only crime at that point would be lying to the GJ.
If the sexual relationship began prior to the kid coming of age, then there was indeed a more serious crime committed.
As for the notion that we shouldn't want a trial, b/c the rat may walk, I just don't subscribe to that ideology. Send it to the court, with the proper charges, and have faith in the system. I think our society is far worse off when a relatively small group of people employ fear and deception in an attempt to dictate the outcome of certain events. I say let the chips fall where they may.

If the rat and the kid only started having sex after the kid was an adult, then I agree with the (lack of) charges.
However, even if they waited until the kid was an adult, but still used the jail as a rendevzous point, they need to throw the book at him.
We already all paid the motel bill for Slick Willie to get his jollies, and I don't think those privileges need to be extended to local law enforcement as well.

Isn't it typical for a pedophile to say the sex with a minor was "consensual"?!? Poor health? So what. What about the health of the teenage boy he assaulted? What about the young man's mental health? Now all of the Ratcliff defenders know the truth. But then again, all of his defenders already knew the truth and supported him anyway. It makes me sick.

Bundy, I believe that Ratcliff's defense was that they sexual relationship did not begin until after the victim was an adult. I don't know which article stated that though.
Updated -  It was in this article Bundy... Filley further alleged that the relationship was "always consentual".

I may be a bit slow, so hopefully some of the wiser people on this forum can straighten some things in my head.
OK, so he lied when asked if he had sex with the victim, right?
Ipso facto, that means they had sex, right?
Then the article says that the sexual relationship continued AFTER the boy became an adult, right?
Ipso facto, that means they had sex when the boy was a minor, right?
Isn't that a confession?
I could've sworn that our justice system and our penal code had a long history of agreement that underage children cannot make decisions for themselves regarding sexual behavior, and if an adult engages in sexual behavior with a minor, that action constitutes a crime of the felony caliber.
What am I missing here?

Ratcliff in poor health? What's that got to do with him getting convicted of the crime he commited? And what about his health is poor? Can anyone just say they are in poor health so go easy on the sentencing? And I don't think he is homosexual because he was married to a women and he also had a girlfriend. Wonder what she thought about all of this!

Stealth, while I am NOT a fan of Tyler's, he has nothing to be ashamed of in this case. He was a potential witness and therefore was recused. His hands are clean.

Apparently McDonald had no faith in getting a conviction due to the "lack of physical evidence". It would have become a pissing contest over (s)he says, (s)he says and Ratcliff would have walked anyway. Per the various articles.

For those who feel strongly enough, I would encourage contacting the Judge and voicing your opinion related to the plea. One of the strong points of elected, rather than appointed judges is that he might listen. If the plea is turned down a change of venue should be expected along with a new DA pro tem. I doubt McDonald would prosecute the case any further.

Who in the H did this piece of C get elected Sheriff 3 times?

Hmmmm. A wreckless homosexual in very poor health...........

I guess the Advocate's censors haven't started working yet this morning. Let's hope somebody is on the job, looking at the language that is being used.

Tyler had nothing to do with it - it was Terry McDonald from San Antonio that struck the deal.

what an outrage! probation for a felony plea of guilty. the powerful usually walk. the voters of victoria county should exact retribution on all incumbent officials next election, especially the DA. Shame on the judge...shame on Tyler. Believe me, you or me would be on a bus to Huntsville if we copped this plea...a truly tragic day for Victoria. It will never recover it's reputation.

Lol @ Ragman.

The bargain bars Ratcliff from visiting Internet chat rooms or looking at online pornography...................
I've got that same deal with my wife. My sentence is longer and I may never get off of probation though.