From FB Star: Political Patronage Alive and Well in Fort Bend County . . .

Sheriff refuses to send sentenced driver to TDC
Daughter of victim protests special treatment;
asks what price keeps driver out of prison

By LeaAnne Klentzman

In January of 2003, a teen driver crossed the center lane of traffic on FM 1093/Westheimer Road near Harlem Road and killed Dawn Barton, 53, and in a three car pileup seriously injured Betty Growden, Barton’s passenger and 76-year-old mother.

In late 2003 Tarah Ashley Hamilton, who was 17 at the time of the accident, was indicted for intoxicated manslaughter for the death of Dawn Barton. Eventually the case made its way through the justice system, and she was convicted. She was sentenced to a 10-year probated sentence with conditions. Some of those conditions included 800 hours of community service, 180 days in jail, a $10,000 fine and participation in court ordered classes. Remaining drug and alcohol free during the course of probation was also a condition.

On May 10, 2006, 240th District Judge Thomas Culver revoked Tarah Ashley Hamilton’s probation in Sanctions Court after several violations. He sentenced her to six years in the Texas Department of Corrections. At that hearing, a letter from Sugar Land State Representative Charlie Howard was faxed to the Judge’s officer asking for leniency on behalf of Tarah Hamilton. Since that hearing in May, Tarah Hamilton has been returned to Fort Bend County jail and made a trustee. According to what the Sheriff said to Paula Craig, daughter of the deceased victim, Hamilton will not be sent to TDC to serve her sentence.

After over three years of frustration and hours of court appearances, Paula Craig, Dawn Barton’s daughter, came to the end of her patience. Last week she met with Sheriff Milton Wright and Chief Deputy Craig Brady and asked when Tarah Hamilton would be sent to prison and if not, why not. Their answer came as a real surprise said Ms. Craig.

The Sheriff and Chief Deputy Craig Brady told Ms. Craig that Tarah Hamilton held the position of trustee. Furthermore, trustees are needed to keep the jail running and clean. They said she was doing a good job so they saw no need to transfer her. Also during that meeting, attended by Craig and her employer, Wright and Brady acknowledged that they were friends with Tarah’s father, John H. Hamilton, and he was a political supporter.

Upset by their response, Paula Craig then met with Judge Culver and the District Attorney’s Office. Judge Culver sent a letter to Sheriff Wright outlining the concerns of both the District Court and the Sanctions Court run by retired Judge Reagan Clark.

During the time Ms. Hamilton was under the direction of the Sanctions Court, she apparently did not appear to take the special sanctions seriously, said Judge Culver. He said he was concerned about how the Sheriff’s actions could impact the effectiveness of the Sanctions Court. Simply put, failure to abide by court ordered sentences could undermine the effectiveness of the courts. However, Judge Culver said Sheriff Wright runs the jail. At the time of her revocation, Tarah Hamilton was sentenced to a six year prison term, although with good time and time served, she could spend far less time before becoming eligible for parole.

Later that week, the Star placed a call to Sheriff Milton Wright to inquire about Ms. Hamilton. He was unavailable so Chief Deputy Craig Brady responded. When asked why Ms. Hamilton had not been sent to TDC, he said that she was a trustee and was doing a job.

He went on to say that if she weren’t doing her trustee job, the taxpayers would have to pay someone to do it. When asked, he could not identify what that job was. After even more inquires, at press time Ms. Hamilton’s trustee job is still a mystery.

In her quest for justice, Paula Craig checked the campaign contributions of Tarah Hamilton’s father to local politicians. She found that since March 24, 2003 Tarah’s father John H. Hamilton of Fulshear has contributed $9,650 to Sheriff Milton Wright’s political campaign. In March, 2003 he donated $1,800; in October, 2003 he donated $2,500; in March, 2004 another $750; and in April, 2006, $4,800.

Ms. Craig also learned that Sugar Land State Representative Charlie Howard was the recipient of a $1,000 donation by Tarah’s father as well.

In a television interview, Chief Deputy Craig Brady told the Channel 2 reporter that this situation had been blown out of proportion. He acknowledged that Mr. Hamilton had money but said it was not a factor in his daughter’s situation. Ms. Craig believes the facts speak for themselves.

In an interview this Monday, Chief Deputy Craig Brady acknowledged to the Star that he and several of his detectives are employed as personal security for Tarah’s father. That “extra job” for $20 dollars an hour is organized and run by Fort Bend County Texas Ranger Jeff Cook.

Brady declined to provide details about the “security,” saying it could compromise their efforts. Brady also acknowledged that Tarah Hamilton was allowed meetings in the Sheriff’s administrative offices with family but said it was not a special privilege. . .

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