Prosecutor targeting DWIs suspended in drunken-driving case DWI charge on Isle turns the tables

Prosecutor known for long drunken-driving terms arrested and suspended

A Galveston County prosecutor with a reputation for winning lengthy prison sentences for drunken drivers has been suspended with pay after being charged with driving while intoxicated in a holiday season crackdown on the island last week.

Prosecutor Lester Blizzard was arrested on Harborside Drive around 11:15 p.m. last Thursday and was suspended by outgoing Galveston County District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk pending an investigation.

Blizzard, who has tried numerous DWI cases, is known for successfully prosecuting DWI violators for long prison terms and for life sentences in some cases.

In August last year, Blizzard secured a 60-year prison sentence for a Galveston man who killed a Houston man and two children when he slammed into their parked car at more than 60 mph on Seawall Boulevard.

Orvel Wayne Speck, 46, had a blood alcohol level of 0.26 percent at the time of the crash, more than three times the state's legal limit of .08 percent.

Blizzard's relentless questioning of Speck during his trial led Speck to exclaim: "I'm not a monster. I didn't intentionally kill anybody."

A sheriff's deputy was also arrested for DWI last Thursday at the same location shortly before Blizzard.

"Lester Blizzard is among the finest prosecutors Galveston and Harris counties have ever known," Blizzard's attorney, Chip Lewis, said Sunday. "He has been an advocate for citizens of both counties for over twenty years. Judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers alike recognize what a valued public servant he has been over the years."

New DA to oversee case

Galveston County District Attorney Jack Roady, who took office Jan. 1, will oversee the administrative investigation.

"Now that I've taken office I'm going to continue that suspension without pay until the conclusion of our administrative investigation," said Roady.

"I was very concerned when I heard the news about Mr. Blizzard and the deputy," Roady said. "That is certainly a bad way to start any new year. I expect that the law enforcement agencies involved will handle these cases as they would with any private citizen and that these cases won't receive any special treatment."

Roady said his office will handle the administrative side of the investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety will handle the criminal aspect.

"Blizzard is going to work with District Attorney Jack Roady to ensure this unfortunate incident does not detract from the important public service he provides the citizens of Galveston county," Lewis said.

According to Roady, a special prosecutor will be assigned to Blizzard's case this week to avoid conflict of interest.

Lewis said Blizzard's employment will be addressed in a meeting with Roady today.

"I know Jack Roady is a fair and reasonable man," Lewis said, "and I trust his judgement."

He said Blizzard is going to respect the process and reserve his comments for the district attorney in a face-to-face meeting.

"It is always very unfortunate when any public servant is arrested," Lewis said.

sarah.raslan@chron.com