Posted on 07/17/2015 5:37:24 AM PDT by don-o
McLennan County commissioners are considering adding a third felony court after hearing a request for staffing from District Attorney Abel Reyna, who also said he does not yet have figures for costs related to the May 17 Twin Peaks shootout.
Reyna said numerous people have asked him how much the county will have to pay to cover events following the Twin Peaks shooting, which left nine bikers dead and 177 behind bars. Reyna said any answer ventured would be mere speculation and there is “absolutely no way to predict” that figure.
“Believe it or not, from about 1:30 in the afternoon on (May) 17th, I’ve been thinking about that,” Reyna said, referring to when he learned of the noon-hour shootout.
Instead of just adding a figure to his budget request, Reyna suggested — and commissioners agreed to — a $1 placeholder that would allow the county to move over more funds during fiscal year 2016 to meet needs as they arise.
County commissioners continued their fiscal year 2016 discussions Thursday, hearing requests from Reyna and other department heads, as they work to finalize plans before the budget must be officially adopted by Aug. 31.
County Auditor Stan Chambers said Reyna’s request for fiscal year 2016 was only a $15,000 increase over the current year, bringing the total to $4,208,431. Chambers said the DA’s office faced hefty cuts the year before last and he did not think the additions were out of line. Chambers said $4 million out of the $4.2 million in the budget for the DA’s office is to pay salaries.
Delaying decision
Commissioners agreed to the increase but delayed a decision about adding staff to create an additional felony court, which Reyna said would help alleviate the pressure caused by the 177 biker arrests.
Reyna asked commissioners to spend $237,000 for salaries and benefits to staff the 74th State District Court to make it suitable to hear felony cases. Reyna said Bell, Brazos and Lubbock counties each had three felony courts and Midland County has four. McLennan County has two.
“If you staff it properly, you’ll increase the processing of these cases, which is where the bottleneck is,” Reyna said.
An additional felony court would allow more cases to be heard, Reyna said. Those who feel wrongfully accused would get a chance to go to trial more quickly and it would prevent others from riding the docket, he said. It is not unusual for someone to push off a trial date as long as possible, Reyna said.
Reyna added that Judge Gary Coley also would have time for occasional trials in that courtroom now that the county is also creating a Child Protective Services Court, freeing up some of Coley’s time.
Reyna said the county’s aggressive stance against crime means more indictments and people going before the courts.
Commissioner Ben Perry said the plan made sense, especially with the timing of the new juvenile judge who will start with the county in a few weeks. Perry said Coley still would have a presence with the juvenile cases, but it would not be a full-time presence.
“And still no coroner’s report. This thing may start smelling fishy even to TexasGator soon.”
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Perhaps the Texas Crocodile will recommend moving the Wisconsin “John Doe” prosecutors to Waco to help out...they may need the work soon.
Or perhaps the Crocodile is too busy at the moment trying to figure out a motive for yesterday’s murder of 4 Marines in Chattanooga.
Are you on leave from the Wisconsin “John Doe” investigations?
For a moment I thought you were talking about another Waco thread, had that one open so went there, read #12 -- and though you had lost your marbles.
Now that I came to the right thread (for the ping you supplied) thanks for the ping.
#12 on this thread, is a little over-the-top (not entirely accurate in every detail) but still highly entertaining.
Check out 4, 6, 10, 23, 24, 28 here, Waco: Twin Peaks Lawyer Files Complaint Against Local JP
Thank you for all the work you've been putting to those.
Why is it that so many here catch whiff of unstated running subtext going on in all of this?
Some may take it to far, but the John Doe warrants were too far, too easy and convenient for law enforcement.
It's been interesting since then also.
In the film from Don Carlos --- three guys arrayed in battle tactical wade into the zone of action (off camara).
Who were those guys? Not Waco PD, I'd bet.
Interesting. One troll in particular springs to mind: TexasGator
And he always covers for the FedGuv and LocalGuv side.
Agreed, however I have also been watching a tag team. Could be the same person. I’m with you on the Botox Queen being the center of gravity.
“And he’s neither Texas nor anywhere near Gator”
Born in Florida.
UofF grad.
Moved from Cypress Tx last year back to Florida.
Yes, we know.
I see that now it is not necessary to ping someone when you make comments about them.
File for future reference.
Bravo, sir, Bravo.
This story has been on the back burner for me for a couple of days because of the PP issue, and now the killing of 4 Marines.
As I look at this in light of the recent incidents, seems even more like scales from the same monster.
Thanks for keeping the torch burning!
Don’t come back.
“Or perhaps the Crocodile is too busy at the moment trying to figure out a motive for yesterday’s murder of 4 Marines in Chattanooga.”
That one was easy. Almost as easy as identifying the criminal gangs in the Waco shooting!
Or perhaps the Crocodile is too busy at the moment trying to figure out a motive for yesterday’s murder of 4 Marines in Chattanooga.
Of course it will be the Marine’s fault because they were;
1) Gathered together
2) All wearing the same type clothing
3) All wearing the COLORS of their club.
4) 1 or 2 of them may have broken a law in their life.
No difference than why the bikers at Twin Peaks were supposedly under surveillance.
All the pro-WPD forces on this forum need to keep their argument consistent.
We are very aware of everything about you.
Do you get paid in Mexican or US currency?
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