Court of Criminal Appeals judge Sharon Keller has been described as “Texas’ Judge Dread”. A self described “pro prosecutor” judge who not only shown a reckless disregard for innocence claims, but infamously closed the courthouse denying a death penalty appeal for Michael Richards.
From the Star Telegram-
Fort Worth State Rep. Lon Burnam filed a resolution this afternoon calling for the impeachment of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Sharon Keller.
Keller sparked controversy and condemnation two years ago when she refused to keep the court open past 5 p.m. on Sept. 25 to allow for a last-minute appeal for condemned killer Michael Wayne Richard who was awaiting execution…
Burnam’s resolution, house resolution 480, charges Keller, a Republican, with “neglect of duty” over the incident and charges her with operating with “willful disregard for human life.”
The charges against Keller are serious, and an impeachment trial would be a proper venue to litigate those claims. Plus an impeachment trial would be great blog material. Would Sharon mind having only “pro impeachment” Senators at her hearing, or having her arguments denied because the clerk’s office arbitrarily closed?
Let’s end with a quote from Houston defense lawyer Mark Bennett.
The courthouse shouldn’t belong to one party or the other. Since taking the bench, Judge Keller has kept her promise to reserve the keys to the courthouse for the State. She has proven herself a master of results-oriented jurisprudence — ruling for the government not because the law requires it, but because she is prosecution-oriented. It’s time for her to go.
Further Reading-
Fort Worth’s Shawn Matlock on HR 480
HR 480
Sharon Killer
Grits- Sharon Keller Should Quit and Go Home