One of her last acts is being described as unprecedented: Ordering prosecutors to recommend pleas of life without parole for all current capital murder cases that are more than a year old.
The news was reported first by Houston Landing and confirmed by ABC13.
The Landing says it spoke with current and former prosecutors who called the move "offensive," and some worried it could confuse victims' families.
Incoming D.A. Sean Teare, who beat Ogg in the primary, blasted the move.
"There's a potential that there are some innocent people in that group, and we're going to dismiss the case as evidence comes in," Teare said.
In a statement, Ogg said all cases in which the Capital Committee has recommended death are excluded. In addition, the timing of the notification to the defense attorney of any offer is up to the assigned prosecutor.
Ogg sent Eyewitness News the following statement:
"The Harris County District Attorney's Office has historically recommended a sentence of life without parole on all capital cases in which we have not elected to seek the death penalty. Any plea offer less than life without parole is made only when the prosecutor determines, based on the evidence, that a different and lesser plea offer is appropriate. Because these cases reflect the most serious crimes and penalties available under Texas law, all crime victims should be made aware of the above information. Any lesser plea offer must be passed through the Capital Committee and always occurs late in the process of resolving the case. In addition, the duty to notify victims is statutory under the Victims Bill of Rights in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 56."
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