A grand jury investigating misconduct at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office declined to issue indictments, but put out a stinging public statement critical of the DA’s Office’s handling of the affair. Reports Brian Rogers at the Houston Chronicle:
A Harris County grand jury ended its session Tuesday, ending a months-long investigation into the district attorney’s office and the Houston Police Department’s DWI testing vehicles with a blistering report, but no indictments.
“There was no evidence of a crime,” said grand jury foreman Trisha Pollard.
Pollard signed off on a one-page report blasting the DA’s office for “unexpected resistance” and accusing the office of launching an investigation into the grand jurors, the special prosecutors and judges.
The grand jury also harshly criticized Rachel Palmer, a prosecutor who invoked her fifth amendment right to refuse to testify.
“The stain upon the HCDAO will remain regardless of any media statements issued or press conferences issued by anyone,” according to the statement.
Certainly, the spectacle of a prosecutor taking the 5th Amendment to avoid testifying was an almost absurdist display, and Grits cannot recall another DA called to testify before a grand jury in the fashion that occurred here. I’m not sure what if anything has been resolved, or what conclusions to draw. I’ll look forward to reading a copy of the grand jury’s report.
