| County Commissioners Asking Questions about DA Watkins' Car Wrecks |
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| by Tom McGregor | Tue, Mar 11, 2008, 09:02 PM |
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Now, the Dallas County Commissioners are beginning to ask questions and the Dallas Blog has confirmed that this issue will be addressed at a closed session meeting of the The At the scene of the accident, no eyewitness accounts were present, but it begs the question: “Was DA Watkins drinking alcohol earlier that evening?” Based on a logical assumption, a sober person does not crash their car into their own home. DA Watkins was driving a 2008 Impala and the County government paid a total cost of $1,165 in damages. Mysterious rear end damage was repaired as well, which means that he may have been involved in another wreck. That would mean he wrecked a County-owned car on three different occasions last year. A confidential County source also revealed that DA Watkins failed to properly follow County procedures in the aftermath of both car wrecks. He is obligated to immediately contact the Sheriff’s department after a car wreck for investigation purposes. He must report it because he’s using a County-owned car. DA Watkins didn’t notify the sheriff’s department of his accidents until he formally requested the County pay for damages to the car. According to a witness statement on a sheriff’s investigation report at Watkin’s first car wreck, he allegedly approached the driver of the car that he wrecked into and asked, “Do you know who I am?” When the victim failed to recognize him he said, “I’m the district attorney of At the closed session of the Shortly after the Dallas Blog article appeared, DA Watkins sent the $1,200 check to the County auditor. Some Commissioners have raised suspicions on the timing of his check and his motives. There are some doubts that Watkins fully reimbursed the County and that he may owe more money.
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Comments (23)
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written by Sharon Boyd , March 12, 2008 What can you expect from a bail bondsman? Remember what he had on his company website -- how he could help criminals beat the system? His first car wreck victim should sue him for official intimidation. Using his elected position like that is disgusting, but again to be expected from a bail bondsman.
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written by Farinata X , March 12, 2008 Republican social climber Sharon Boyd's antipathy to Craig Watkins certainly appears to be based on more than politics. One wonders what that basis might be. And could you please get some new writers? That "bail bondsman" jab is getting old.
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written by Byron George , March 12, 2008 Farinata X, This is rare but I agree with you. To insinuate that he was drinking is inappropriate.
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written by David W. Gilbreath , March 12, 2008 If he was not drinking and hit the side of his own house, then he should not be driving a motor vehicle of any kind and you have to question whether he is competent to serve as DA.
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written by Wylie H. , March 12, 2008 Seconding what Farinata X said, Sharon- your "bail bondsman" slams serve to distract one from whatever legitimate concerns you may have about DA Watkins.
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written by What's my name b---- , March 12, 2008 The phrase "do you know who I am?" should be banned. Whoever uses it is automatically an ass, and the public officials who use it are worse.
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written by Not Surprised , March 12, 2008 Gee if he didnt follow policy and have the accident investigated when it initially happened he certainly leaves himself wide open to accusations of driving under the influence. So lets see here...we have not following policy not once but twice, failing to have accidents (plural) investigated properly and timely, and double dipping. Bail Bondsman jab or not the whole things stinks.
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written by Holy Roller , March 12, 2008 I am curious how a bail bondsman helps criminals beat the system? Their purpose is to post bond at a fee. So you propose every criminal sit in jail rather than post bond? I question your logic, since the taxpayer then has to keep up more and more people in the prison system that could be back out in the workforce awaiting trial.
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written by Old Red , March 12, 2008 How does being a bail bondsman "help criminals beat the system"? The function of a bondsman is to guarantee that the defendant shows up to court when they are supposed to, and without crowding the jail with people waiting for trial. If anything that helps the smooth functioning of the justice system. Boyd may have some political axe to grind over Watkins, but this rant about "that bail bondsman" is just silly.
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written by Sharon Boyd , March 12, 2008 TO HOLY ROLLER & OLD RED: Before the Dems elected him to be our County District Attorney, Watkins was a bail bondsman. His own website bragged to potential clients that he could help them beat the system. His words -- not mine. If being a bail bondsman is a noble profession, then I have not said anything negative. If being a bail bondsman is a sleazy business, it was the business Watkins chose to make money. So, I will continue to refer to the DA by the title of the profession he chose. This is still about a guy who plays loosey-goosey with the rules. Double-dipping on his car allowance when he has a large salary as DA and a free car which he has wrecked at least twice since last Nov. 2006. Have you wrecked your car twice or more in 15 months? If someone hit your car and then identified himself as the County DA, would you feel reassured or intimidated?
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written by Farinata X , March 12, 2008 Oh, I don't know. Maybe if there had been a few more guys like Watkins helping people "beat the system," maybe the Republican DA who preceded him wouldn't have been able to put so many innocent people in jail.
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written by Jason K , March 12, 2008 I'd be reassured... I mean that would tell me he would at least have insurance and all. And nobody here actually knows how he said it "do you know who i am." Typing it makes it sound like he was some big buffoon who threatned this person with his title, but no one knows the context of how he said it, do we? And I don't know about hitting the side of the house thing... I'd have to see the driveway and his house to make a call on that. I mean I've almost hit the side of a garage at my apt. complex and did curb my wheel when pulling into a parking place just by pulling in too fast. Actually, maybe it begs the question on what he was actually doing during those accidents, not if he was specifically drinking. Still, 3 or 4 accidents sure is a lot to have in the time he's been the DA.
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written by Holy Roller , March 12, 2008 No, Sharon. You specifically went after him based on his past profession. "What can you expect from a bail bondsman?" was your lead in quote. That implies all bail bondsmen are somehow driving their cars into the sides of homes or breaking other laws. And any comments you have made about Watkins in the past have always included that quote.
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written by Byron George , March 12, 2008 I don't think he has to report a non-injury accident on his own property. Guess the law may be different since he was driving a city owned vehicle.
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written by randye , March 12, 2008 X, good to see back on your game. You managed to turn the discussion away from Watkins problems to Ms. Boyd's. And demoted her from "socialite" to "social climber". Any thoughts on DA Watkins?
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written by Dallas_Joe_Schmo , March 12, 2008 Farinata X, I might remind you that the exonorations were of men, mostly convicted under democrat henry wade. Also, 13 of the 15 exoneration proceedings began under Republican Bill Hill and not Craig Watkins (most were freed before CW took over as well). Please quit giving him credit for it as he wasn't even employed by the DAs office during most of the hearings.
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written by Jonathan Green , March 12, 2008 In reading the comments of the readers above its funny the inuendos and the speculations that many post on the blog. As I read, it reminds me of Brauns Ice Cream and the 31 flavors they offer, a little bit of something for everybody. Well, in the articles printed and the evidence produced, I have not seen anything presented that Mr. Watkins was drinking, nor I have known before hand that Mr. Watkins is a alcoholic. I am concern also as to where his attention is diverted, its possible that business and other matters are on his mind, therefore, some awareness needs to be brought to his attention holding him accountable. Howvever, does this mean he is protecting the citizens of this county? Well I am not hearing of any guilty men or women walking free, or scandals plaguing his office. Lighten up and let him do his job.
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written by mdallas , March 13, 2008 What is Sharon Boyd's profession, p[ast and present...full time gadfly
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written by BettyCulbreath , March 14, 2008 Cars are assigned to the DA's office for County use it's not like he went to a lot and drove off. Mr. Watkins did not read the fine print in the County Policy .The person in the Closed session of the Commissioners Court that leak the confidential information to the press is guilty of a crime .This was not done for the public good it was for embarrassment. The DA should realize he is the top Law man in the County,young,Democrate,and there is no room for mistakes no mater how minor. Write comment
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When Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins drives a County-owned vehicle, he doesn’t have a safe driving record. He was involved in at least two car wrecks last year, according to a confidential County source.
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