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Waiting to exhale, Victoria rejoices ruling

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  • Originally published April 30, 2009 at 6:21 p.m., updated April 30, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.

By the Advocate Editorial Board

Victoria's collective sigh Thursday afternoon almost cooled a humid April day.

After 18 months of anguish, the community received welcome relief from District Judge Kemper Stephen Williams.

The judge took a strong stand and told District Attorney Stephen Tyler he clearly was disqualified from handling his case against city officials.

The judge came to the obvious conclusion: Tyler couldn't claim he was the victim of some conspiracy and prosecute the case.

At last, someone applied common sense to the judicial system.

How did this case ever get to the point where the district attorney could be both the victim and the prosecutor?

Judge Williams also rightly threw out the aggravated perjury case against Victoria Police Chief Bruce Ure.

When the district attorney called the chief to the grand jury in October 2007, Tyler clearly abused his authority during questioning.

The whole mess started with Tyler getting angered that city officials questioned the investigation of the DA's chief of staff, Michael Ratcliff.

Questions remain about what else happened during Ratcliff's tenure as sheriff and afterwards, but Tyler's personal vendetta against the city officials diverted the public's attention from that.

The judge ruled an impartial attorney will review the two remaining perjury cases against police Lt. Ralph Buentello and former city attorney David Smith. That's as it should be.

This case divided the community and ripped apart the relationship between the DA's office and police.

The latter rift, appropriately dubbed "Law and Disorder," likely won't be bridged until change comes in the DA's office.

But Judge Williams' ruling gives the community a chance to heal.

On that front, May is starting quite a bit brighter.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.


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Comments

  • american american Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink


    What about the money(paid for by the city) Ure spent for public defenders even though he had private attorneys also ?

    You wonder if Judge Stephen Williams father Kemper isnt running the show for his country club group

    May 15, 2009 at 7:01 a.m.
  • legion357 legion357 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Yumi, no one knows what the sealed motion contained.

    We probably never will, just more of "you don't need to know" justice.

    May 2, 2009 at 6:27 p.m.
  • othersider othersider Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Pro Tyler and Anti Tyler......everyone's either on a high horse or foot in mouth over this, but don't forget, it was the other way around not long ago. It is just a matter of time before the pedulum swings back the the other way. Watch what you say if you don't like eating your foot.

    May 2, 2009 at 6:07 p.m.
  • ErnieCash ErnieCash Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Can't say about the dismissal until or unless I get a shot at seeing the judge's order and/or the motion is was predicated on, but Tyler's dismissal from these cases is clear.

    He can't be both victim and prosecutor.

    And apparently he understood that no more than he did that you can't indict someone for perjury with the same GJ he/she is accused of lying to.

    Ernie

    May 1, 2009 at 8:17 p.m.
  • legion357 legion357 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Those are all real harsh comments, considering that the bases for the dismissal was a SEALED MOTION. Which not one of knows what contained.

    Get a grip, whether Cheshire was right or Williams, or Tyler or the defendents, chances are WE WILL NEVER KNOW, because the dismisle was based on a SEALED MOTION. Geez

    May 1, 2009 at 7:01 p.m.
  • emca101 emca101 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Zorro

    "Tyler was not on trial, Ure was!"

    Not any more. The question now is how much time and money will Tyler waste on an appeal.

    April 30, 2009 at 10:04 p.m.
  • Jonny Jonny Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Wrong again Zorro,

    Tyler put himself on trial when he abused the law for his own personal games

    April 30, 2009 at 9:25 p.m.
  • zorro zorro Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    That's the spirit, to heck with the fair trail, let's just move straight to the hanging of Tyler. Just one problem with the Advocate verdict, Tyler was not on trial, Ure was!

    April 30, 2009 at 7:24 p.m.
  • HereNnow HereNnow Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Next time, Stevie...use it to your advantage. [i can't believe i just encouraged him to stay on his rampage and wild goose chase with the whole "they are out to get me" crap].

    Hmm...that is the EXACT tune Davey-Boy was singing at the forum. Remember? Oh, yes...good times. Good times.

    April 30, 2009 at 7:11 p.m.
  • HereNnow HereNnow Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Hey Tyler and Hagan fans.......THE REASON for case being dismissed is the obvious "How did this case ever get to the point where the district attorney could be both the victim and the prosecutor?"....d'oh!!!

    Note to Tyler - brush up on your law, considering that it "[the law] is on your side".

    April 30, 2009 at 7:05 p.m.