In the image of democracy, it would behoove all of us, those convinced Judge Fowler has wronged the citizens of Upshur County and those who are still waiting on the investigation to tell "the rest of the story", to refrain from trying this man in the news media.  I do agree that he had business dealings and friendship with someone who has been tried and convicted of injuring numerous people either financially, emotionally, or both.  But, until all the facts are known, none of us can, in good faith, say that he is guilty, worthy of public attacks, or call on him to resign.  I will personally wait to make my final decision about Judge Fowler's public business dealings and the business of the county court, when I know all the facts surrounding the case, or at least all of the facts that can be made available to the public. 

Now, I would like to address the issue of whether the District Attorney's office was justified in following up on facts uncovered in the investigation of Robert Bennett, as was the main implication in the article in April 29, 2009 issue of The Mirror.  I would first like to question how "feelings about the case" from Attorney Todd Tefteller are prudent or relevent to anything and argue that this is not objective journalism.  Objective journalism is making the facts, and nothing but the facts, known to the public for their information, protection, and benefit. Interviewing an attorney who collaborated with some other attorney's as to whether this investigation is right or wrong, or  is"partisan politics", is just the opinions of others who might do themselves better to watch quietly on the sidelines. You know the old saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease", well....that's all I will say about that.  I do not know how much "partisan politics" are involved, but I will bet everything I own on the fact that the "good ole' boy politics" have a lot to do with it. Judge Fowler is one of them, an old friend, high-school buddy, and attorney and this unidentified group of "Upshur County attorneys are disgruntled" because it might hit a little too close to home. 

I don't know how "the people pushing this investigation are being politically opportunistic" since the Texas Rangers are not influenced by small-town, 'partisan politics'. None of the Texas Rangers are "original Gilmer"ites, and they don't give a la-te-da about who is doing what, with whom, or where they are doing it, as long as it is LEGAL!  Now, when you start "toeing the line" between legal and illegal, they get very interested in your business, especially when you hold a public office. When Billy Byrd was elected to office (I helped put him there and I am proud of it!) he took an oath that he would do his best to protect the lives, rights, priveleges and property of all the people of this county to the best of his ability and in an impartial manner.  Not to mention that his State Bar License to practice law upholds him to a standard to which he is obligated along these same lines.  All the attorneys in Upshur County should know the obligations to which their licensure holds them accountable, unless they are licensed to practice law by a different State Bar of Texas than Billy Byrd!!  You think not??  I don't either.  Billy Byrd is an honest man doing honest work, sometimes against monumentous odds.  He has the duty to prosecute the most evil, vile child molestors to the small time drug dealers and users, but he also has a duty to impartially, without prejudice, completely, and thouroughly, investigate or have investigated, all, not just some, not just the mean, bad, poor, dirty, unemployed people, but ALL cases where there has been the potential for illegal activity or misconduct.

Yes, Mr. Tefteller, you said it right when you referred to Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, two of the most intelligent, upstanding men in the Confederacy. The words of Jefferson Davis fit this situation perfectly, like sunshine on a spring day, 'the hardest thing about being a public servant is {indeed} bearing the criticisms of the ignorant.' You and the other attorneys who have convicted District Attorney Byrd are, in fact, ignorant of the duty and obligation he has to all citizens of this county, rather than solely to those who can afford to fund your exorbitant fees.  Upshur County had a lame duck DA who refused to prosecute anything and now we have someone who doesn't let the county politics dictate or intimidate him. What the "policital opportunists" really want in Upshur County is a "dancing chicken" who will only perform when the fire is lit under his feet and he is told who and what to go after.

Let's not prematurely convict either of these men of any wrong until the investigation is finished and all the facts that can be made public are indeed aired.  District Attorney Byrd and Judge Fowler should both continue to do the right thing with the performance of their duties as they have pledged to the citizens of this county.