If there were an Obstruction of Justice Playbook, Chapter 1 may well read like this.
Step 1: Before strongarming a peace officer into complying with your wishes, take steps to discredit the peace officer.
This, of course, is what members of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office did, based on DA documents, in a matter that personally involves me. Before using “countless DA connections” to strongarm two peace officers into complying with the wishes of a local, wealthy family, members of the DA made the following assertions.
The peace officer involved in my case “didn’t do her job,” and she “has a history of not being responsive.”
Remember, by doing their job, the officers were getting in the way of the DA’s desire to do a favor for a local, well-connected family. The peace officers certainly did not believe that they were not doing their job. They did not believe that a crime had been committed, according to a FWPD email.
There is an objective way to look at the DA’s assertion that this officer has a history of not being responsive. I requested a copy of this officer’s decades-long work history file from FWPD to see if the DA’s office was right. Did this officer truly have issues with responsiveness, or was the DA using this individual as a scapegoat to justify unethical and potentially criminal actions they were about to undertake.
- 2016 commendation for aid in apprehending a fugitive
- 2011 commendation for handling a high case load with distinction
- 2011 commendation for contacting the victim of excessive phone calls
- 2011 commendation for not having overdue prisoners for 150 days
- 2009 commendation for assisting in recovery $100,000 in stolen property
The list goes on and on. The officer’s performance reviews average close to four stars (the highest rating). 233 pages of personnel files contradict the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office assertion that the detective has a history of not being responsive to victims. Was the DA right about these peace officers, or were members of Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office taking a note from the Obstruction of Justice Playbook?
Edward Brown writes about music, arts, and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and volunteers for numerous Fort Worth nonprofits. He regularly contributes to Visit Fort Worth and Madeworthy Magazine.
Update: U.S. Representative Kay Granger has notified me that her office “was able to forward your concerns to the FBI for their review. Please note that the FBI may reach out to you directly.”
Update: The Texas Attorney General’s office has replied to my request for an investigation and provided details on how to proceed.
For further reading:
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Letter of Refusal
What Does Obstruction of Justice Look Like?
Fort Worth Writing Tutor 