By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
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Dallas, TX – A State House Committee in Austin today will consider testimony on a bill to impeach the presiding judge of the state's Appeals Court. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more
The bill, filed by Fort Worth representative Lon Burnam, calls for the removal of Presiding Texas Appeals Court Judge Sharon Keller. In 2007, Keller failed to keep the court open past its 5 pm closing. Lawyers for a death row inmate tried submitting a last-minute appeal. The execution proceeded several hours later, with Keller drawing international publicity and harsh criticism. Burnam's bill accuses Keller of willful disregard for human life.
Keller's attorney denies all allegations, adding that the United States Supreme Court considered a stay of execution that night - well after 5 pm - but let the execution proceed. Burnam's bill would have to get out of committee, then pass in the House and Senate, before any impeachment proceedings could start.
The state's Judicial Conduct Commission will hold a hearing on Keller's decision in August.