In Texas, The Hammer Runs Into an Anvil

In Texas, The Hammer Runs Into an Anvil

Ronnie Earle, the Texas prosecutor vilified by Rep. Tom DeLay as a "rogue district attorney" and an "unabashed partisan zealot," has heard worse.

There was the time, for instance, that a prominent Texas Democrat vowed to murder him.


Prosecutor Ronnie Earle put off his retirement to take on Tom DeLay.
Prosecutor Ronnie Earle put off his retirement to take on Tom DeLay. (By Thomas Terry -- Associated Press)
GALLERY
Rep. Tom Delay (R-Tex.), a hard-charging partisan with an intimidating reputation, was charged by a Texas prosecutor in a campaign finance probe.
Majority Leader Delay Indicted
Rep. Tom Delay (R-Tex.), a hard-charging partisan with an intimidating reputation, was charged by a Texas prosecutor in a campaign finance probe.

"He would hold all these press conferences and say terrible things about me," Earle said, referring to Bob Bullock, the future lieutenant governor whom Earle investigated for allegedly misusing government resources in the 1970s.

"I know at least twice people took guns away from him when he said he was going to kill me."