The recent revelation that Harris County deputies improperly disposed of evidence from hundreds of criminal cases—forcing the dismissal of ninety drug cases, with more dismissals likely to come—is merely the latest blow to the county’s embattled district attorney, Devon Anderson. Anderson was appointed to the position in 2013 by Governor Rick Perry following the death of her husband, former District Attorney Mike Anderson. Although she won election to the office in her own right in 2014, Anderson faces a strong challenge this fall from lawyer Kim Ogg, whom the Houston Chronicle endorsed this weekend.
Although she’s only been in office three years, Anderson has faced more than her share of issues, including:
- Jailing rape victims
- Holding a man in jail after his conviction was tossed out
- Questionable behavior by prosecutors
- Stoking racial fears
