[MizSterious]

The problems you cite might have something to do with the reasons behind this story, where it is stated:

Some 310 deputy district attorneys, many of them rebelling at Pfingst's management style, have declined the county's terms for renewing their job contract. One deputy DA, Mark Pettine, is running for Pfingst's job in the March 5 primary.

If it were only a dozen or so, I might think that this is just a political ploy. But 310 deputy district attorneys?? There might be more to this than meets the eye.

[bvw]

We'll I've seen a few people in the close glare of negative media scrutiny or business misfortunes -- and the way Pfingst talks here reminds me of same. "Breakdowns" is what such used to be called.