It looks like the BAT van issue has come to a close. The Grand Jury stated that there was no evidence of a crime, everybody hugged & cried, blah blah blah. Now, I haven’t read every single article and blog post about this, but I have been looking to see how it affected those that had been convicted by the BAT vans. I didn’t find much.
So what really got my attention is the statement that Pat Lykos issued, in which she wrote that as soon as they were informed that there may have been a problem with the testing equipment, the DA’s office contacted the people who might have been affected by this in the past, as well as those whose cases were still active, their lawyers, and the courts involved.
Imagine for a moment how much of a pain in the ass that must have been. Pulling together the records of everyone who had been processed by the vans, their representation, finding the courts they were tried in…That’s huge. It’s a massive effort that a lot of people wouldn’t have made. I believe the Houston DA’s office has come along way from 2005, when Denise Oncken snarked “It’s not our job to hold their hands.”
Lykos is trying to serve the interests of justice. Take a minute today, write her a letter, and ask her to put some effort into our cause. There’s no reason why she shouldn’t be known as the DA who gave finally gave us justice.
The Honorable Patricia R. Lykos
1201 Franklin, Suite 600
Houston , Texas 77002-1923
Ma’am,
I’m writing today about the case of Carlos Coy, #908426
However, first I wanted to mention that I saw the Grand Jury investigation the BAT van controversy came to an end today, issuing no indictments. I read the statement released by your office and was very pleased to see the following :
“This involved hundreds of cases. We immediately notified all the defendants and their lawyers who had active and disposed cases,and further informed all the courts. We demonstrated good faith and transparency then and now.”
In the articles and blog posts I have read about this matter, I don’t recall seeing anything about this. I am so glad you mentioned it, because it reinforces my impression of you as someone who holds justice close to her heart.
The papers and the blogs seem to care very much about interpreting the behavior of the DA’s office, but you demonstrated a deeply-rooted care for the hundreds of individual people with no political pull or public audience who might have been affected by this.
Thank you so much for that; allow me to urge you to take a second look at the case of Coy vs. Texas with the same care in mind. Please examine the facts of the case, including the evidence which was not allowed into the trial, and consider whether justice was really served.
Carlos Coy is a a controversial figure, but many in your constituency hold him close to their hearts. By allowing him a new trial, you can prove to us once again that you fight for justice, not just for convictions; not only for those who might suffer injustice in the future, but also those who have been wronged in the past.
Thank you for your time.
Me, my address, blah blah blah
http://www.bigjollypolitics.com/wp/2012/01/31/harris-county-da-lykos-stands-up-to-runaway-grand-jury/
No comments:
Post a Comment