A South Texas prosecutor who brought indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and others, accusing them of abuse of prisoners in a federal prison, pounded his fist and shouted at the judge today.

The table-pounding rant by Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra alleged special treatment for high-profile defendants. That sent the routine motions hearing in a state district court in Raymondville into chaos. The prosecutor complained to Presiding Judge Manuel Banales about his handling of the case and asked him to recuse himself

While that went on, Cheney was in Shreveport for a fundraiser on behalf of 4th Congressional District candidate John Fleming, R-Minden.