Got a question for a judicial candidate? Then you may want to attend a forum for candidates in contested primaries spnsored by the Dallas Bar Association. Judicial candidates have been invited to appear at the Belo Mansion at 2101 Ross Avenue at noon, Friday, Feb. 26th. An optional buffet lunch is available for $12.76.
… [visit site to read more]
Dallas Bar Association invites judicial candidates to public forum
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Early voting results show incumbents leading in felony court judge races
Here are the early voting primary election results for the contested state district judge races in felony courts:
203rd District Court:
Teresa Hawthorn 31%
Susan Anderson 37%
Davey Lamb 32%
This race could be headed for a runoff if no candidate earns 50 percent plus one vote.
265th District Court:
Mark Stoltz* 53%
Manny Alvarez 47%
291st District Court:
Annie Lesser: 40 %
Susan Hawk* 60%
363rd District … [visit site to read more]
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Mandatory retirement age for judges varies across country
After the decision of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens to retire as he nears his 90th birthday, the National Center for State Courts sent out interesting information about mandatory retirement ages in state supreme courts. Most states require judges to step down after age 70. Texas sets 74 as the mandatory retirement age but allows a judge to serve out the term during which he turns 74.
Vermont sets … [visit site to read more]
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Court says death row inmate’s self inflicted blindness not a factor in execution eligibility
Andre Thomas, the death row inmate who has plucked out both of his eyes, presented a novel argument to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, but the state’s highest criminal court didn’t buy it.
Thomas, who was condemned to death after he cut out the hearts of his wife and two children and pocketed them, alleged that his blindness means he is no longer a danger to society. Justices … [visit site to read more]
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Smalley gets 10 years for invading Rockwall Elementary School
Judge Brett Hall of the 382nd Distict Court in Rockwall sentenced Desi Smalley to the maximum of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine on a charge of attempted kidnapping Tuesday, following a punishment hearing. Smalley, 36, a Mesquite resident, was charged with entering Pullen Elementary School in Heath on March 4, 2010 and trying to take a first grader from the school grounds.
District Attorney Kenda Culpepper presented evidence that Smally has an extensive criminal history and was on PCP … [visit site to read more]
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Dallas District Judge Bruce Priddy disciplined again
Dallas District Judge Bruce Priddy has been disciplined by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct — again.
Priddy, a civil court judge in the 116th district court, received a public reprimand in June for failing to complete 16 hours of continuing judicial education last year.
The reprimand is the latest of several sanctions meted out by various organizations, including the Texas Ethics Commission, the State Bar of Texas and the Judicial Conduct Commission since Priddy was elected almost … [visit site to read more]
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Dallas County defendant slits throat in courtroom after judge sentences him
A man slit his throat moments after a judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison this morning.
Marcial Anguiano pled guilty to aggravated assault for cutting his niece with a butcher knife. After State District Judge Larry Mitchell announced his sentence, Anguiano cut himself.
“As soon as the judge sentenced him, I saw him do something with his right arm,” said Anguiano’s defense attorney Juan Sanchez. “I turned and he cut himself with something he had brought into the courtroom.”
Sanchez said he saw a razor blade on the floor afterward. He also said something – he is not sure what – was confiscated from his client immediately before sentencing.
Anguiano bled on the railing that separates the front of the courtroom from the benches and on the first bench. A custodian was cleaning up the blood. Bailiffs blocked anyone from entering the courtroom while the custodian was cleaning.
… [visit site to read more]
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Dallas County criminal court judge no pushover
Judge Robert Burns, a Dallas County criminal court judge, is developing a reputation for toughness when it comes to dealing with sticky political and policy issues involving the county commissioners.
Burns, the local administrative district judge, is not shy about telling the commissioners what he thinks about their proposed policies or plans.
On Tuesday, he more or less warned commissioners that they could wind up behind bars if they attempt to … [visit site to read more]
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Early voting for November election begins today; here’s a look at the Dallas County courthouse races
Early voting begins today for the Nov. 2 election.
Besides the race between Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins and his GOP challenger Danny Clancy, there are numerous judicial races on the ballot.
Here’s a look at the races for state district judge. In those races, the three remaining Republican state district judges in Dallas County will try to … [visit site to read more]
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Judge finds woman who tossed children off overpass onto I-30 not guilty by reason of insanity
A judge this afternoon found Khandi Busby not guilty by reason of insanity for throwing her two sons onto Interstate 30 from an overpass in March 2008.
She also jumped from the overpass.
State District Judge Carter Thompson said the was not one where a mother was trying to get rid of her children because they were in the way.
“This is a horrific case but, it is also apparent to the … [visit site to read more]
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Paternity suit involving Judge Carlos Cortez revived
A paternity suit against Dallas district judge Carlos Cortez has been revived, according to Texas Lawyer.
The original suit by a woman named Melinda Henry ended in April after a Williamson County judge ruled the deadline for filing such a suit had passed. Henry’s lawyer filed a motion for a new trial, claiming the judge made a mistake in his decision.
According to Texas Lawyer, Cortez said in a filing that genetic testing showed he … [visit site to read more]
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Judge fines defense attorney on last day of contentious manslaughter trial
State District Judge Robert Burns on Monday fined defense attorney Lisa Fox $250.
The fine came on the last day of a manslaughter trial where Fox was defending a man convicted of manslaughter.
Burns had repeatedly warned Fox since the trial began last week to tone down her comments and tone while questioning witnesses.
When Fox asked a … [visit site to read more]
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Veterans Court created by State District Judge Mike Snipes featured in Atlantic Monthy
The veterans court created by State District Judge Mike Snipes in in 2010 is featured in this month’s Atlantic Monthly.
Most courtrooms in the Frank Crowley Courts Building in Dallas hadn’t yet opened for normal business at … [visit site to read more]
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Judge dispenses justice and holiday cheer from the bench
State District Judge Andy Chatham is dispensing holiday cheer and justice from the bench today in his courtroom.
He’s wearing a Santa hat — well, actually a court jester Santa hat — as he sits in the courtro
om.
Although he’s … [visit site to read more]
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UPDATE: Man accused of setting elderly store clerk on fire appears in court this morning
Matthew Johnson
UPDATE: My colleague, Scott Goldstein, tells me that Johnson is not acknowledging requests for an interview at the … [visit site to read more]
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UPDATE: Collins defeats Cook in Democratic primary race for Criminal District Court 4
UPDATE: Collins defeated Cook with more than 60 percent of the vote.
Original post 7:18 p.m.: In the only contested primary for state district judge race in Dallas County’s felony courts, prosecutor Dominique Collins faces defense attorney JR Cook.
They are vying to replace longtime state District Judge John Creuzot, a Democrat who is retiring, as judge of Criminal District Court 4.
After early voting, Collins is ahead of Cook.
Both touted as their … [visit site to read more]
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Trial starting in Collin County for woman accused of funding 2008 judicial campaign in return for favorable rulings in court
Stacy Stine Cary with husband, David Cary
A University Park woman accused of giving money to fund a 2008 judicial campaign in exchange for favorable rulings in a contentious child custody case is on trial this week.
Opening arguments start today in the criminal trial of Stacy Stine Cary, 56, who faces felony charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, bribery and money laundering.
Prosecutors from the Texas Attorney General’s Office allege Cary was part of a complex scheme that helped Suzanne Wooten get elected to the 380th Judicial District bench in 2008. They say Cary made six payments totaling $150,000 to Wooten’s campaign manager, James Stephen Spencer, between January and March 2008. They say Spencer deposited the money in his personal bank account and then got cashier’s checks to fund Wooten’s campaign expenses.
Prosecutors allege those campaign purchases could not have been made without Cary’s money.
Cary has said the money was for consulting work she and her husband hired Spencer to do. And Wooten testified during her trial last year that she relied on Spencer to bill her for campaign expenses, but he often waited months after the money was spent to send her an invoice.
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Dallas County officials still don’t know how to replace convicted constable
Evans leaves court after being sentenced to probation.
Dallas County officials said Tuesday morning they’re still not sure how they’re going to replace Constable Derick … [visit site to read more]
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Dallas Commissioner John Wiley Price asks federal judge to delay civil forfeiture case
Price
Attorneys for Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price are asking a federal judge to delay proceedings in a civil forfeiture case until after the criminal part of the investigation has wrapped up.
Federal prosecutors in May filed the forfeiture case in an attempt to keep $229,590 in cash that agents took from a safe in Price’s home last year as well as $230,763 that Price earned from a land sale to a developer.
The government said the money should be forfeited because it is the proceeds of Price’s crimes. The alleged crimes cited by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in court documents include money laundering, bankruptcy fraud and bribery.
Price has not been charged with any crimes, but experts say it appears that a criminal indictment will be handed down at some point.
One of Price’sattorneys, Billy Ravkind, has said the money came from cash withdrawals and loan proceeds as part of legitimate business.
Price is claiming ownership of $115,000 of the money found in the safe. Pricealso claims an interest in the remaining amount, court records show, but only as a custodian of the money for his top assistant, Dapheny Fain.
Ravkind on Wednesday filed a motion to stay the forfeiture proceedings, saying the evidence collection phase could hurt his client in the ongoing criminal investigation.
“Continuation of the forfeiture proceeding will burden the claimant’s right against self-incrimination,” the motion said.
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UPDATE: Administrative judge denies motion to recuse Dallas County judge hearing constable case
UPDATE No. 2: Ovard denied the recusal, saying Evans did not meet the standards to grant it.
To recuse a judge, “a reasonable member of the public at large, knowing all the facts in the public domain concerning the judge’s conduct, would have a reasonable doubt that the judge is actually impartial,” according to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, which set the guidelines such decisions.
A hearing about whether Evans remains in office will be set for a … [visit site to read more]
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