DA leaves legacy of vital wins

Stanislaus County District Attorney James Brazelton tried 35 murder cases during his days as a prosecutor, won them all, and sent five men to death row.

He prides himself on being a hard-charging trial attorney and believes victims, grieving loved ones and the public are best served when hardened criminals go to prison for a long, long time.

And when the pressure was on, his office delivered a guilty verdict and death sentence for Scott Peterson, who was convicted last year of killing his wife and unborn son after a sensational investigation and trial.

Since then, Brazelton has crossed the nation, collecting awards from legal groups and giving talks about the case that was a regular feature on cable television news shows for two years.

Brazelton, 63, whose retirement from office becomes official today, says he's leaving on a high note.

But the tall, imposing man who often tacks an American flag to his lapel has traveled a rocky road, tangling with local politicians, a civil grand jury and the media alike.

"You just sometimes wonder if Jim doesn't enjoy the fight," said Modesto Police Chief Roy Wasden. "He fires things up."

A civil grand jury chastised Brazelton -- twice -- for inappropriate behavior in the prosecutor's office.

In reports released earlier this month and last summer, the panel said Brazelton created a hostile workplace because he simulated the drawing and firing of a gun, and later held a gun in the palm of his hand, while making derogatory comments about two Bee reporters.

Brazelton denied all of the claims.

In 1999, Brazelton faced public questions about his health and ability to lead from members of the Board of Supervisors.

They were worried because Brazelton's skin tone had fluctuated between ashen gray and yellow. Brazelton said he was overmedicated by a physician and has put his health issues behind him.

And during nine years at the helm of the prosecutor's office, Brazelton has never been able to get the money his office wanted from the cash-strapped county.

When the supervisors talked about "efficiencies," Brazelton told them he needed more money and more staff because "there is no price tag on justice."

DISTRICT ATTORNEY PLANNED RE-ELECTION

The top prosecutor routinely dismisses inquiries from The Bee, calling them nothing more than a witch hunt. He refused several requests for interviews for this article, but provided a written statement.

"I take pride in my career as the people's advocate and am humbled and honored by the faith shown by the public in electing me as their district attorney," he said.

In April, Brazelton announced he would be a candidate in a June 2006 primary, seeking a third full term in office. The news shocked courthouse insiders who assumed he would retire at the end of his term.

In June, Brazelton said was leaving to take a job with American Corrective Counseling Services Inc. of San Clemente, a firm that runs bad-check collection programs in 14 states.

Brazelton will be the executive vice president of client relationships, selling the firm's restitution program to local prosecutors.

When he announced his retirement, Brazelton said he would have been crazy to turn down a lucrative offer that came out of the blue and will pay him more than his $153,026 annual salary.

His new employer issued a press release about Brazelton, but was not available for further comment.

Assistant District Attorney Carol Shipley said she thinks Brazelton made his bid for re-election because he does not want to see Judge Michael Cummins take over the prosecutor's office.