HOUSTON – Harris County has a new district attorney.
"The door is open and the slate is clean" incoming Harris County District Attorney Mike Anderson told his staff on Monday.
In a ceremony on New Year's Day, Anderson, with his wife by his side, took the oath of office.
Anderson, a former judge, will be tested almost immediately with the prosecution of Harlem Lewis.
Lewis, 21, has been charged with capital murder and murder in the deaths of Bellaire police Sgt. Jimmie Norman, 53 and an innocent bystander, 66-year-old Terry Taylor.
"This is a case where I will be the lead prosecutor. I will have help, but I will be the lead prosecutor," Anderson said.
That most likely means that Anderson will present the case to a judge and jury.
At the ceremony, Anderson would not commit to whether he planned on seeking the death penalty against Lewis. However, from previous conversations with Local 2, it appears to be a likely outcome.
Anderson also made it clear he plans to prosecute all crimes, referencing a reluctance by his predecessor to drug charges in some instances.
"We'll take every kind of potato that is listed in the penal code. If it is against the law, we'll prosecute it," Anderson said.