Embattled Texas judge Keller faces possible removal, but state panel seldom tosses jurists
By Paul J. Weber, APThursday, June 17, 2010
History favors Texas judge facing possible removal
SAN ANTONIO — An embattled Texas appeals judge may have history on her side when she appears before a state disciplinary panel.
Judge Sharon Keller will answer charges Friday that she denied a death row inmate the chance to file a last-minute appeal hours before his 2007 execution. The presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals faces five charges of judicial misconduct.
Death penalty opponents and critics want Keller removed from the bench, but the state Commission on Judicial Conduct has recommended removing a judge not under indictment only six times since 2002.
Keller faces no criminal charges, and her attorney says having Keller removed would “negate the will” of Texas voters who elected her to the court.
