The Humiliation of Ronnie Earle Continues

Powerline ^ | October 5, 2005 | John Hinderaker

[yoe]

America's worst DA, the execrable Ronnie Earle, admitted today that he went grand jury shopping. After his initial indictment of Tom DeLay fell apart, he went to a second grand jury, presented his evidence, and the grand jury refused to return any charge against DeLay. Undeterred, Earle then went to a third grand jury that was more pliable and agreed to a "money laundering" indictment on the basis of what could only have been, at most, a few hours of "evidence." The Austin Statesman has a report:

A Travis County grand jury last week refused to indict former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay as prosecutors raced to salvage their felony case against the Sugar Land Republican.

In a written statement Tuesday, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle acknowledged that prosecutors presented their case to three grand juries — not just the two they had discussed — and one grand jury refused to indict DeLay. When questions arose about whether the state's conspiracy statute applied to the first indictment returned last Wednesday, prosecutors presented a new money-laundering charge to second grand jury on Friday because the term of the initial grand jury had expired.

Working on its last day Friday, the second grand jury refused to indict DeLay. Normally, a "no-bill" document is available at the courthouse after such a decision. No such document was released Tuesday.

Ronnie Earle is a disgrace to the legal profession and the people of Austin, Texas. I'm not sure whether his abuse of his office is ground for disbarment or not, but, in any event, his shameful political pursuit of Tom DeLay must end.

[Red Badger]

Can an indictment be thrown out after review by a judge?........

[2banana]

No partisan witch hunt here...move along...nothing to see.

[shezza]

I love the title. Next I'd like to see it used about Hillary.

[davisfh]

"The Humiliation of Ronnie Earle Continues"

I felt sure that the chickens would eventually come home to roost. It appears that is now happening and it shouldn't just be Ronnie Earle who is humiliated. It should be the entire Democratic establishment that was cheering him on.

[InvisibleChurch]

no doubt that earle is a lousy DA yet Delay is still under idictment and photo ops of him being taken into custody and having a mug shot (and no doubt be abandoned by the White House) will still hurt the conservative movement ...

[Callahan]

What a joke. I wonder who will play Ronnie in the comedy this train wreck produces. I vote for Bobcat Goldthwait.

[dfwgator]

Even Martin Frost admitted that Earle was on a political witch hunt.

[BadAndy]

I never heard anything in the MSM about the first indictment being aborted. Only that he had gotten a "2nd" indictment. Then again I rarely pay attention to the MSM so maybe I missed it.

[Preachin']

I heard DeLay on Rush Limbaugh the other day.

He said that although the indictment was to have been kept secret, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DNCC) announced it on their website.

It appears that Earle told them, or perhaps it was a planted grand juror.

[Mamzelle]

Does anyone have a subscription to Austin American Statesman? I cannot access, but on the main page there is reference to an article about how Ronnie Earle's son (Shelby?) is having a hard time because of his dad's shenanigans. If anyone can get me the article, I'd appreciate it, and it might even be worth a thread...

[OldSmaj]

Ronnie Earle is a disgrace to the legal profession and the people of Austin, Texas.

Well, not even this despicable POS can disgrace the legal profession much more than it already is, however, the people of Austin, TX got exactly what they wanted in this buffoon.

The man is a damn fool, but he amuses the birkenstock-wearing, warm and fuzzy, kumbaya-singing liberals that have come to dominate the Austin/Travis County, Round Rock, Georgetown area in the last 10-12 years.

Austin was once a good place to live.

No more. I avoid it like the plague.

[cricket]

"I love the title. Next I'd like to see it used about Hillary."

Like it too; but would like it better if it said . . .'the 'self-humiliation' of Ronnie Earle' (as a small point of quick clarity ;^)

Hinderaker uses another wonderful descriptive re Earle; and beautifully suited to Hillary and the Demrat 'et als'. . .

the execrable Ronnie Earle. . .

[Bigun]

I'm not sure whether his abuse of his office is ground for disbarment or not,...

I don't either but, since he has violated many cannons of ethics in this matter, the Texas bar has ample grounds for his disbarment. Weather or not they will act on that is an entirely different matter!

[wideawake]

There is no need for an arrest or a mugshot.

That would be pure, unnecessary grandstanding.

[strange1]

I vote for bobcat Goldthwait

Good choice given Marty Feldon isn't available.

[cricket]

I stand corrected, I think. . .as soon as I posted 'self-humiliation' seemed excessive as in redundant. . .but then one can be humiliated by 'others'; (???).

Oh well, no doubt John got it right and better. . .I think

. . . and too hurried to think too much.

[stockpirate]

Next I'd like to see it used about Hillary.

A person must having feelings in order for this title to be applied, she does not.

[Arrowhead1952]

I quit posting from work for the most part, but here is the article.

---

Thursday, October 06, 2005

This just in for anyone still exhaling dust from Austin's Why-in-September music festival: A local grand jury has charged several Republicans with laundering corporate funds to aid Texas House candidates in 2002.

Ronnie Earle, Travis County's Democratic district attorney, vows to proceed with vigor, while U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay of Sugar Land, forced to resign as House majority leader, charges foolish partisan persecution.

Earle, first elected district attorney nearly 30 years ago, may have cushioned personal risks by forgoing re-election plans — or has he?

"I never say never," Earle said Wednesday of what would be an unexpected 2008 campaign. "I've got other things on my mind right now than politics."

Maybe, though another Earle swirl could be building.

Earle's son, Jason Earle, seeks to succeed state Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin, representing House District 47 in southwestern Travis County (Keel plans a run for the Court of Criminal Appeals). If Earle wins the Democratic nod next year, he could be a gigantic target for anyone upset at his dad.

Imagine GOP stalwarts sending $50 each to whomever Republicans nominate and Democrats rallying in response.

Outside money could fuel enough intensity to affect other candidates, such as Rep. Mark Strama, a Democrat from Austin seeking a second term, and former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, running to succeed retiring Democratic state Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos.

Democratic consultant Kelly Fero said he no longer thinks national Republicans will open checkbooks for the Texas House race because DeLay has lost his verve.

Strama and Watson said any Earle swirl depends on voter sentiment; they don't sense sympathy for politicians facing charges of wrongdoing.

Republicans are incredulous. They suggest that the district attorney is exploiting his position to boost his son's chances and to help his daughter, Elisabeth Earle, who presides over County Court at Law No. 7. Their forecast: She's gearing to run for district attorney in 2008.

Ronnie Earle said his kids' political plans are not "part of my job." Elisabeth Earle said she's focused on re-election next year and hasn't contemplated 2008. And Jason Earle said he doesn't expect anyone outside the community to influence voters.

Ryan Bohls, aiding GOP House hopeful Bill Welch, said Ronnie Earle's actions could draw U.S. Republican donors to the local House race. Norm Newton of the Associated Republicans of Texas predicted the same from Democrats nationally.

"It wouldn't surprise me to see this race become one of the most expensive Texas House races in history," Newton said. "We are prepared to go ahead and play the game."

For the swirl to twirl, however, Jason Earle must hurdle other Democrats, including Valinda Bolton. Her consultant, former Rep. Glen Maxey, said the race shouldn't be a referendum on Ronnie Earle, whom he'd support if he sought the House seat.

"Bless his heart," said Earle the elder, who served in the House before his decades as district attorney.

[Mamzelle]

re: Earle's son, Jason Earle, seeks to succeed state Rep. Terry Keel, R-Austin, representing House District 47 in southwestern Travis County (Keel plans a run for the Court of Criminal Appeals). If Earle wins the Democratic nod next year, he could be a gigantic target for anyone upset at his dad. Imagine GOP stalwarts sending $50 each to whomever Republicans nominate and Democrats rallying in response. )))

Sounds good to me.