Litigation

Reprimand for TX Judge is Dismissed

By Peter Hardin

A special three-judge panel has dismissed a reprimand of Judge Sharon Keller, Texas’ top criminal court judge, over her handling of a last-minute death row appeal.

The panel ruled that the reprimand, called a public warning, was not an option that was legally available to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which issued it, according to a Fort Worth Star-Telegram article . The commission found that Judge Keller had engaged in ?willful or persistent conduct that casts public discredit on the judiciary.?

Judge Keller was allowed to keep her job after the commission rebuked her over her “We close at 5″ response when lawyers for an inmate wanted to submit a last-minute appeal. The inmate was executed a short time later (see Gavel Grab for background).

“This case is done,” said the judge’s attorney, Charles “Chip” Babcock. “She’s very relieved that it’s over.”

“So much for the public’s confidence in the integrity of the judicial system,” said Jim Harrington of the Texas Civil Rights Project, according to the Houston Chronicle. “It says that judges protect their own. … How in heaven’s name do you ever hold a judge accountable if you can’t hold Keller accountable in this instance?”

The Texas Moratorium Network said Judge Keller should be impeached.

Full post as published by The Gavel on October 12, 2010 (boomark / email).