tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post3229929320075770029..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: No indictments from Houston BAT van probeGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-67809642390775926302012-02-02T09:09:16.956-06:002012-02-02T09:09:16.956-06:003:34, IMO you naied it. I don't think the DA&#...3:34, IMO you naied it. I don't think the DA's office committed a crime, but they're definitely trying to have it both ways. However, I do NOT agree that DA's office is <a href="http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2011/11/its-coverup-that-gets-you-bat-van.html" rel="nofollow">without fault</a>, just that they likely committed no crimes.<br /><br />Alex: Good point.<br /><br />2:18, you could be right; that would explain a lot.<br /><br />3:31: taking the fifth is not an admission of guilt, but it's surely highly unusual for a prosecutor. I can only think of one other <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2012/01/federal-prosecutor-to-take-th-amendment-in-fast-and-111615.html" rel="nofollow">instance</a> where I've ever heard of that happening.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-66342831674706734662012-02-02T03:34:53.181-06:002012-02-02T03:34:53.181-06:00First, DA Lykos doesn't trust the evidence fro...First, DA Lykos doesn't trust the evidence from HPD Bat Vans. (OK, so there is truth to the whistleblowers claims. Discontinue use of the scientifically unreliable BAT Vans.)<br /><br />Then, she makes statements declaring the whistleblowers claims were without merit.<br />(OK, so utilizing the BAT Vans is time-saving and scientifically reliable.) <br /><br />Yet, she discontinues use of the BAT Vans and spends nearly $500k on new intoxilyzers. (OK, so there is some truth to the whistleblowers claims...)<br /> <br />"...We have determined on a day-to-day basis that people don't take care of them like they should and it's what caused all these problems; even though it may not cause the ultimate test results to be incorrect, it obviously causes problems," said First Assistant DA Jim Leitner...<br /><br />"Problems" because juries no longer believe that the BAT Vans are reliable (despite what the DPS or the DA's Office declare), making convictions much more difficult to come by.<br /><br />Seems like there is a tremendous amount of flip-flopping here.<br /><br />You can't have it both ways, Harris County.<br /><br />And to the 5th Amendment champion, ADA Rachel Palmer, thanks for doing your job -- to seek the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-89828481135268903702012-02-01T15:31:28.538-06:002012-02-01T15:31:28.538-06:00Last I checked, taking the 5th wasn't an admis...Last I checked, taking the 5th wasn't an admission of guilt. Refusal to testify would be an entirely appropriate thing to do in a witch-hunt situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49978143045077178482012-02-01T14:18:30.867-06:002012-02-01T14:18:30.867-06:00Local rumor surrounding the courthouse was that if...Local rumor surrounding the courthouse was that if the GJ did indeed issue an indictment the US Justice department was poised to begin an investigation into how the GJ was empaneled. Then a judge and other well-known legal professionals would have been looking at federal indictments. This entire investigation was a sham from get-go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-16099355088746336622012-02-01T12:36:12.946-06:002012-02-01T12:36:12.946-06:00I love how Lykos criticizes the Grand Jury for not...I love how Lykos criticizes the Grand Jury for not letting her office know what was going on...<br />It sure sucks being investigated by a Grand Jury, doesn't it, Mrs. DA? Scares the heck out of you, doesn't it? Now you have a glimpse into how the citizen accused is treated, don't you? Et tu, BruteAlex S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-5131244358414235382012-02-01T10:50:30.700-06:002012-02-01T10:50:30.700-06:00yep typical whitewash for govt employees VIOLATING...yep typical whitewash for govt employees VIOLATING the law!rodsmithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-40059203963756249782012-01-31T20:04:21.389-06:002012-01-31T20:04:21.389-06:00Grits,
Despite the weeping, wailin' and knash...Grits,<br /><br />Despite the weeping, wailin' and knashing of the teeth in Harris County, I think you will find the report is rather pathetic. If this is all that grand jury has to offer, it seems to me they have wasted a lot people's time.<br /><br />They have provided plenty of material for the bored local press though.Texpathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04038611956673414023noreply@blogger.com