Category Archives: Judge Watch
Whattha? Judge Charlie Baird Rebuked by Appeals Court in Willingham Case
You’ll remember Judge Charlie Baird – we’ve written about him before: Judge Baird was the man who took on the Tim Cole matter when others on the bench would not, and we tipped our hat to him for it (read “Judge Charlie Baird May Exonerate a Dead Man and Give Justice to Tim Cole”). Judge Baird…
Texas Judge Suzanne Wooten Indicted for Bribery, Suspended With Pay
Suzanne Wooten isn’t on the bench today, but she’s still getting a Collin County pay check. This week, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (the same organization that’s been so busy with the Justice Keller mess) announced that Judge Wooten was suspended from presiding over the 380th Judicial District Court of Collin County, Texas, an action…
McAllen Judge Arrested 4 Paying Off Credit Cards With Traffic Fine Money
The hurricane hitting South Texas today is the least of La Joya Municipal Court Judge Joe Henry Garza’s problems. At 55 years old, he’s been busted. Arrested, arraigned, the whole nines yards when you’re charged with a felony. And, yes, this South Texas municipal judge is facing felony theft charges. Judge Garza stands accused of putting his hand…
Texas Trial Judge Kevin Fine Gets Lotsa Media Play Over Death Penalty Ruling
Last week, over in Houston, a state district court judge (read that, trial judge) who’s still pretty new to the job, ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional. This got lots and lots and LOTS of media coverage. This week, Judge Kevin Fine changed his mind. He’s rescinded that ruling and he’s set the matter…
Another Texas District Judge Indicted on Felony Charges and Jailed on Friday
Last September, everyone in Kerrville was surprised when District Judge Karl Prohl suddenly resigned from the bench, with more than a year left in his term. The Kerrville Daily Times reported on how Judge Prohl’s letter of resignation — effective immediately — shocked the courthouse. One staffer supposed that at the age of 69, and…
Former El Paso Criminal Judge Manuel Barraza Found Guilty by Jury – Going to Jail
Late last week, a federal jury came back with their verdict in the case of the United States v. Manny Barraza over in El Paso. The verdict? Former Criminal District Court Judge Manuel Joseph Barraza was guilty of two (2) counts of wire fraud and the deprivation of honest services and one (1) count of…
Judge Watch: 2460 Year Prison Sentence Upheld by Texas Appeals Court, More Great Publicity for Texas Criminal Justice System
Once again, Texas courts are making international headlines and not in a good way. This week, the Texas Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit over in Fort Worth issued its decision in the case of James Kevin Pope. Seems Mr. Pope was tried and convicted of sexual assault of a child — an unfortunate crime,…
Judge Watch: Tarrant County Judge Tiffany Lewis Pleads Guilty, Goes to Jail
Tiffany Lewis’s life will never be the same now that she’s pled guilty to taking client money — lots of client money — in a probate case … but we’re not too sure how ashamed she is just yet …. On September 15, 2009, former judge Tiffany Lewis pled guilty just as testimony was about…
Judge Watch: RIP Judge Jerry Buchmeyer
The Honorable Jerry Buchmeyer died this week in a San Marcos nursing home at the age of 76, after serving the bench for over 30 years. Considered by many to be a liberal judge, with landmark decisions involving both public housing and redistricting in this state, he achieved even more notoriety for his now famous…
Judge Watch: Court of Crim Appeals Says Not Unfair to Defendant Hood for Judge and DA to Have Affair During Trial
If you’re shaking your head in disbelief at this week’s ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — well, join the crowd. When the news first hit that a trial court judge and the district attorney who prosecuted cases in her courtroom had had a long-standing sexual relationship, lots of folk were stunned. And lots…
