Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins got his chance to sit by the fireplace and undergo the satirical and always uncomfortable interview by Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central’s "The Colbert Report" last night. Watkins gave Colbert his standard stump speech about his office’s groundbreaking Conviction Integrity Unit, which has had a role in freeing 22 wrongfully convicted people from prison. Colbert told Watkins, "You do not fit the image that the average person has of a Texas district attorney." What was missing, Colbert said, were Watkins' cowboy hat and spurs. Watkins, who favors cowboy boots, told Colbert that he does not subscribe to what he characterized as the traditional Texas prosecutor's approach -- "tough on crime." That attitude alone doesn't work, Watkins told Colbert, noting that when prosecutors convict the wrong individual the mistake "disparages the criminal justice system." Somehow, DNA evidence and wrongful convictions gave Colbert plenty of material to work with. “Does anybody deserve to be walking the streets?” Colbert asked Watkins. “We’re all sinners, sir.” To which Watkins replied: “We are.” “Do you want to tell me what you should go to jail for?” Colbert asked. “After the show,” Watkins said. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” Colbert said. Oh my.
-- John Council and Miriam Rozen
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