HOUSTON -- At least six assistant district attorneys will soon be out of a job as the new district attorney takes office, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.
When incoming D.A. Pat Lycos won the Nov. 4 election, she promised to reform the office after former district attorney Chuck Rosenthal was forced out.
That has led to the termination of at least six assistant district attorneys, such as Murray Newman, a 9 1/2-year veteran.
"I think mine was definitely political in that way. I was a very avid supporter of Kelly Siegler and very vocal," he said.
Siegler was Lykos' opponent in the Republican primary.
Another Siegler supporter, Division Chief Lucy Davidson, was also told her contract won't be renewed.
Rosenthal's first assistant, Bert Graham, has also gotten his walking papers.
And one of only two African-American division chiefs, Joe Owmby, is also out.
"For me, it's devastating in an emotional sort of way. I loved what I did at the office," Owmby said.
Reached in Austin, Lykos said the terminations are not about politics, saying, "That's not a factor. The factor is reorganization of the office as I articulated to voters."
The six prosecutors and four investigators being let go represent over a century of trial experience.
But, legal analyst Brian Wice said that is not a cause for concern.
"Because there are still a bunch of talented prosecutors here, I don't think the quality of justice in this town is going to suffer at all," he said.
More personnel changes could be ahead. But Lykos promised that fewer than 5 percent of the office's employees will lose their jobs.
Copyright 2009 by Click2Houston.com.
All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.