https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-judg...ry?id=59042447


Texas judge releases group of juvenile defendants after losing election: Reports

A Texas judge known for sending kids to juvenile detention released a group of juvenile defendants who appeared before him Wednesday, in an unusual move that came less than a day after losing his bid for re-election, according to local media reports. At least four of the minors faced serious charges.

Before Harris County Juvenile Court Judge Glenn Devlin released seven defendants -- accounting for nearly all of the kids who appeared in front of him the morning after Election Day -- he asked if they planned to kill anyone before he released them, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Democrats swept the benches the night before in 59 local Texas courts, according to the Chronicle. Devlin, a Republican, was among those ousted.

Harris County public defender Steven Halpert, who was in court when the string of releases occurred, told the newspaper that Devlin was "releasing everybody."

"Apparently he was saying that's what the voters wanted," Halpert said.