The DA in Austin, Jose Garza, is a leftist, of course (isn't everybody in Austin a leftist?) and was elected last November.
Since then, there have been at least 47 homicides in Austin, the cops are leaving in droves, and Garza's laissez-faire policies against criminals like this punk kid have created an atmosphere of fear.
An assistant DA resigned from his job, citing orders from on high to delete evidence. Garza indicted a cop (Gregory Gentry) after the previous DA failed to indict him, presumably because of exculpatory evidence.
In short, the Austin DA - a smug, arrogant leftist who fancies himself as an "activist for immigration" (translation -- illegals) has been a one-man wrecking ball in Travis County.
There's no doubt in my mind that he's responsible for the watered-down charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The punk should be charged with attempted murder and his ass belongs in the slammer.