AUSTIN, Texas — Republican Rep. Tom DeLay's fate could hinge on a Stetson-wearing defense attorney and Democrat who has represented Waco cult leader David Koresh and helped a cross-dressing millionaire beat a murder rap.

Why did Dick DeGuerin, DeLay's lead attorney, agree to represent one of the most fiercely partisan figures on Capitol Hill, a man who was House majority leader until his indictment on money-laundering and conspiracy charges?

"I don't think there's anybody who needed me worse," said DeGuerin, who will accompany DeLay to his first court appearance today.

"Not that I agree with his politics. I'm defending what's happening to him. He's being prosecuted because of his politics. He did change the face of politics in Texas," said DeGuerin, 64. But he added: "I don't think he did anything wrong."

DeLay has been charged with illegally funneling corporate donations to 2002 candidates for the Texas Legislature. Texas law generally prohibits the use of corporate money for campaigning.

DeGuerin's strategy has been to attack the man who brought the charges, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, a fellow Democrat whose office in Texas' capital city, Austin, is responsible for investigating election abuses.

DeGuerin, whose father worked for Lyndon Johnson while he was in Congress, considers himself a loyal Democrat. He is not a prolific political contributor, but when he gives, he largely backs Democrats.

But the candidate who has received the most contributions from DeGuerin is Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a former client. He has contributed about $10,000 to her campaigns since 1990.

DeGuerin won an acquittal for Hutchison on misconduct and document-tampering charges in 1994, a case also brought by Earle. Hutchison did not respond to interview requests.

The lawyer also is involved in Texas' 2006 gubernatorial campaign as an unpaid adviser to Kinky Friedman, a musician, mystery writer and all-around wiseacre who is running as an independent. His slogan: "Why the Hell Not?"

DeGuerin said he thinks Friedman's candidacy can do something about the public's disaffection for the political process and boost turnout.

"He's going to bring people back to the process," DeGuerin said. "I've seen politics get so divisive and so polarized that I think it's a vulnerability."

DeGuerin represented Koresh before he died with about 80 followers in a fire that erupted during a federal siege of their Waco compound in 1993. Hired by Koresh's mother, DeGuerin went inside the compound during the 51-day standoff that preceded the blaze and took part in negotiations between Koresh and the FBI. He blames the government for the fiery ending.

DeGuerin last year won an acquittal for Robert Durst, the cross-dressing heir to a real-estate fortune, who was charged with murdering a neighbor in Texas in 2003. Durst admitted dismembering the victim and dumping the remains. DeGuerin argued that Durst killed in self-defense.

DeGuerin, a pilot who loves to fly to far West Texas, also likes to go on trail rides with friends and is proud to show off his calloused fingertips from his years of guitar playing. He is married, with two daughters from a previous marriage, two stepdaughters and two grandsons.