Death Penalty’s Best Friend Resigns #
February 24th, 2008 | In Worth Knowing
Chuck Rosenthal, the district attorney of Harris County — around Houston, has resigned after having developed quite a reputation. Not only did he send 36 people to death row, but he’s also done some colorful things:
Over more than 30 years at the DA’s office, he often ran into trouble. He set off firecrackers in a stairwell and endorsed one judge because “she looks great in jeans.” In 2002 he went before the Supreme Court to argue in favour of upholding Texas’s ban on gay sex. The eventual ruling, Lawrence v Texas, is considered a landmark for gay rights.
Most troubling was Mr Rosenthal’s enthusiasm for the death penalty. He considered it “God’s law”, and asked for it whenever possible.