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Victoria, TX 77901
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Scheduled Court Proceeding for Ratcliff Sex-Abuse Case
Written by Lacey Harris
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
YOU'LL REMEMBER, THE THREE-MONTH DELAY STEMMED FROM VICTORIA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
STEVE TYLER REMOVING HIMSELF FROM THE CASE IN FEBRUARY. THIS, AFTER LEARNING HE COULD BE CALLED AS A WITNESS IN THE CASE, POSSIBLY TESTIFYING ON HIS INVOLVEMENT IN AN UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION OF RATCLIFF. ALSO DURING THE BREAK FROM THE COURTROOM, A NEW PROSECUTOR WAS FOUND AND GIVEN TIME TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE CASE.
NOW FAST FORWARD THREE MONTHS TO LAST WEEK --- BOTH MEMBERS OF THE DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION AGREED TO THE JULY SECOND DATE TO RETURN TO THE COURTROOM. MOTIONS HEARINGS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME AT THAT TIME. IT'S ALSO EXPECTED A DATE WILL BE SET FOR THE JURY TRIAL.
IN OCTOBER OF 2007, MICHAEL RATCLIFF, THE FORMER VICTORIA COUNTY SHERIFF, WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD, SOLICITATION OF A MINOR AND CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY.
