The Dallas County district attorney is criticizing the judge who issued a contempt of court order against him.
The orderwas issued after KDFW-TV aired an interview with John Creuzot the night before the murder trial of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger — despite a gag order Judge Tammy Kemp issued.
Guyger was convicted of murder for the shooting death of her unarmed black neighbor, Botham Jean, inside his own apartment.
Kemp said the interview, in which Creuzot explained why he thought Guyger was correctly charged with murder rather than manslaughter, was a “direct violation” of the gag order she’d issued in the case.
At a press conference Wednesday, Creuzot said Kemp's actions were unprofessional and biased.
“For the criminal district attorney of Dallas County, and any attorney, to be slapped with a contempt of court proceeding with little-to-no facts, is unconscionable,” Creuzot said. “And if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. It can happen to a witness. It could happen to a police officer. It could happen to an attorney. It can happen to anyone, any city leader, any civic leader.”
Kemp declined to comment Wednesday, The Dallas Morning News reports.
Creuzot says the interview with the TV station was initially focused on mental health.
The contempt of court charge was dropped late last month after both sides filed a motion to dismiss it.
Creuzot said his office will not be issuing gag orders in the future. He also plans to challenge any gag order issued by another judge.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
