34 Facts About Ronnie Earle

Ronald Dale Earle was an American politician and judge who was, from January 1977 to January 2009, the District Attorney for Travis County, Texas.

In Texas, Ronnie Earle was known for his criminal justice reform efforts which focused on crime prevention, alternative sentencing, victim advocacy, and the reintegration of former offenders into society.

Ronnie Earle was a fixture in Travis County politics and served in public office there for more than 30 years, joking that he was asked if he was the "District Eternity".

Ronnie Earle spoke extensively on his belief that the law guided public responses to crime but that it was society's collective "ethics infrastructure" that required support to deliver a safer, more just, and more livable community.

Ronnie Earle was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised on a cattle ranch in Birdville, Texas.

Ronnie Earle achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, earned money working as a lifeguard, played football, and was president of his high school student council.

Ronnie Earle moved to Austin when he was 19 to attend the University of Texas and the University of Texas School of Law.

Ronnie Earle was elected to the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1972, serving until 1976.

Ronnie Earle was elected district attorney of Travis County in 1976 and served until his retirement in 2008.

Ronnie Earle faced opponents only twice during his unprecedented tenure.

Ronnie Earle was, and his successor now is, the only Democrat with statewide prosecutorial authority.

Ronnie Earle spoke nationally on this work, and engaged in criminal justice reform efforts until his death.

Prosecutions which Ronnie Earle led as Travis County District Attorney through the Public Integrity Unit include:.

Ronnie Earle personally made a public announcement that Martin was cooperating with police and that no one from his office was releasing information saying otherwise to The Statesman.

Ronnie Earle formed a grand jury to look into the shooting of Martin and invited him to attend without issuing a subpoena.

Ronnie Earle claimed Martin offered him a state job as payment, despite Texas' strong nepotism laws forbidding the hiring of relatives.

Martin pleaded not guilty and, a year later, worked out a plea bargain with Ronnie Earle by admitting to misdemeanor perjury charges relating to the renting of a car around the time of the shooting.

Ronnie Earle denies that his pursuit of DeLay was part of a partisan "fishing expedition".

The jury member questioned stated that Ronnie Earle appeared visibly angry with the "no bill" decision.

Ronnie Earle eventually received an indictment against DeLay from a third Austin grand jury that had been seated for a few hours.

Ronnie Earle's evidence rested on an alleged confession by Murray, obtained by interrogation at a children's shelter in the absence of any attorney or family member.

In 1999, Ronnie Earle led the "Yogurt Shop Murders" case against suspect Maurice Pierce, leading to a grand jury indicting him on four counts of first degree murder.

Ronnie Earle released him and dropped all charges citing a lack of evidence.

In late 2007, Ronnie Earle announced that he would not seek reelection to his post.

Ronnie Earle's departure precipitated a race to fill his seat.

Ronnie Earle faced no Republican opponent in the general election.

Ronnie Earle took office in January 2009 and is the first woman district attorney in Travis County history.

Immediately after Ronnie Earle announced his retirement as District Attorney of Travis County in December 2007, he began being mentioned as a possible statewide candidate.

Ronnie Earle said he was considering a run for one of the two posts.

On December 18,2009, Ronnie Earle filed the necessary paperwork to run for Lieutenant Governor of Texas but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Linda Chavez-Thompson, a labor union activist.

Ronnie Earle was married to his second wife, Twila Hugley Ronnie Earle, for nearly three decades.

Ronnie Earle had one stepdaughter, Nikki Leigh Rowling, and four grandchildren; Alexandra Clare Leissner, Avery Elise Leissner, Adelaide Clara Earle, and Elias Alistair Earle.

Ronnie Earle retired in Austin and remained active in criminal justice reform efforts.

Ronnie Earle died in Austin, Texas, on April 5,2020, from complications of COVID-19, exacerbated by a long illness.