By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – A special review panel is expected to rule on whether to dismiss the reprimand of a Texas judge who closed her court at 5 p.m., declining to accept the last-minute appeal of a condemned man who was put to death that night.
A special court of review in Austin set a Friday deadline to announce its ruling.
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Sharon Keller asked for the dismissal of a "public warning" given to her by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The disciplinary case against Keller came after she said "We close at 5" and closed the court in 2007 as attorneys for twice-convicted killer Michael Wayne Richard tried to file a last-minute appeal. No appeal was filed, and Richard was executed hours later.
Hartley supporters gather at Mexican consulate
Friends and supporters of a man reportedly shot and killed by Mexican pirates are calling on Mexican authorities to help find his body.
About 100 people gathered at a park in Denver Friday ahead of a planned walk to the nearby Mexican consulate. They included David Hartley's sister Nikki.
Hartley's wife, Tiffany, says she and her husband were riding Jet Skis back from Mexico on Sept. 30 when they were attacked by Mexican pirates in speedboats. The Hartleys were getting ready to move back to Colorado at the time.
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said he's spoken with officials at the Mexican consulate in Denver. He says they've assured him that they're doing everything possible to find Hartley and bring those responsible to justice.
Bush's memoir to have print run of 1.5M copies
Former President George W. Bush's memoir will arrive next month with a huge first printing and an e-book with multimedia extras. That's what Crown Publishers said in a statement.
"Decision Points" will have a print run of 1.5 million copies, the same number given six years ago for Bill Clinton's "My Life," which went on to sell more than 2 million copies, far greater than for most presidential memoirs.
Crown, an imprint of Random House Inc., also announced that an enhanced e-book edition will be available, featuring video highlights of Bush's presidency, photographs not included in the hardcover book and personal correspondence.
"Decision Points" comes out Nov. 9, a week after Election Day.
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