Texas Judge Warns Rick Perry Not To Threaten Grand Jury

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

By SAHIL KAPUR Published AUGUST 22, 2014, 3:46 PM EDT

A Democratic state judge in Texas is suggesting that Republican Gov. Rick Perry's strong denunciations of his indictment could be seen as a threat to the grand jurors, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Julie Kocurek, an elected judge, said "no one is above the law."

"I have a duty to make sure that our members of the grand jury are protected," she's quoted as saying. "I am defending the integrity of our grand jury system."

Kocurek was reportedly referring to this statement from Perry after he was indicted on two felony counts: "I am confident we will ultimately prevail, that this farce of a prosecution will be revealed for what it is, and that those responsible will be held to account."

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/julie-kocurek-perry-grand-jury-threat

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[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good for Judge Kocurek.

Nobody is above the law, and this is as it should be.

[Stuart G]

3. I agree completely with CaliforniaPeggy....Perry is not above the law, even if he thinks so..nt

[calimary]

5. And it does sound like a threat he's making. Subtle, but very much there.

If I were on that grand jury, it would leave me feeling most disquieted hearing that from my governor - who's already on record (his followers too - and he's done nothing to discourage that) to demean and attempt to diminish and otherwise cast aspersions on the grand jury.

[wordpix]

43. definitely sounds like one to me, too

Perry---a governor above the law. Hope that doesn't materialize

[gopiscrap]

48. At the very least I would take it as

Contempt of Court and jail him right then and there!

[Jack Rabbit]

17. What is it about Texas governors that they think they're above the law?

Perry' predecessor also thought he was above the law.

[Skink]

31. JR Ewing envy

[Fantastic Anarchist]

37. Because they're not punished when they break it.

[Crash2Parties]

25. Unless they have "sincerely held" religious beliefs, that is.

Then magically the law no longer applies.

Thanks, SCOTUS.

[Jackpine Radical]

26. Does a sincerely held belief in his own divinity count?

[sakabatou]

2. Somehow I have the vibe that Perry will say, "I AM the law!"

[freshwest]

19. More like he's Moses coming down the mountain with laws to enforce Gawd'sWill©.

He's the perfect 'The Devil... er, Gawd... made me do it' character. That's his Teflon for not treating others like human beings.

In the long run, I doubt he believes a word of the mushroom fertilizer he's shoveling. It's for those of a fanatical mindset to keep their support.

It's all about getting wealthy from land and resources to me. He's just another overpaid corporate dissembler like the media script readers.

[Auggie]

4. Is Kocurek elected for life?

If not, her re-election is now especially targeted

[calimary]

6. Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

That side GOES AFTER people. Bloodthirsty they are.

[C Moon]

7. ...well, except Bush—but nobody else!

well, there IS Cheney, too—but that's it!
and Rumsfeld...and Rice...

[Mnemosyne]

8. The fact that he even has to be warned says so much about him. nt

[Chemisse]

9. Anybody would mouth off in his situation

but "those responsible will be held to account" is a distinct threat.

[tanyev]

10. This guy threaten people? Inconceivable.

?1405013298

[freshwest]

13. Predict that his technique will work. He's got plenty of batshit fans who've targeted others before.

It's a phenomenon across the country, intimidation by releasing the names of the private citizens, their addresses, employment, spouses, children and grand children who are threatened.

There is more going on than most expect coming from brownshirt rightists. It's dangerous to uphold the law or do anything that gets in the way of demagogues like Perry.

We knw what a GOP Senate will do and what a GOP victory in 2016 will mean for us all. It's not like they've been hiding their intentions.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. True. His technique of labeling it Democratic bias even worked on many Dems. nt

[mdbl]

47. Maybe the Dems that agree with him are guilty of the same crime

Just sayin.

[Zen Democrat]

14. Now that's he's under felony indictment, Poor Lil Ricky can't carry a gun.

[IronGate]

36. Yes, he can,

he just can't purchase one.
He hasn't been convicted of anything yet, so his 2A right is still intact.

[leftieNanner]

38. I think his Concealed Carry

License has been revoked. He can still own the guns, but he can't be packin' in his pocket. I haz a sad for the poor man

[SoapBox]

23. Looks to me like this POS little man...

Is trying to over compensate.

[PeoViejo]

11. Manning that 50 Cal.

The Crew made sure it wasn't loaded. Aw, gee, he put his hand on the ammo box of that 30 Cal. How Manly...

[ErikJ]

12. He doesnt seem to learn very well.

Payback/ threats is how he got in this mess.

[Zen Democrat]

15. Paybacks and threats is how he's governed the State of Texas since 2001.

[Thinkingabout]

16. Threats is one of his deepest experiences. A big bully, now he needs to man up

And face the music. I am waiting to see how long he goes before saying the Republican special prosecutor did the investigation. I am thinking the GOP is throwing him under the bus.

[tclambert]

18. "No one is above the law." Good one, Judge. Who would expect comedy from the bench?

Especially saying that in Texas, home of George W. (for Warcriminal) Bush.

[czarjak]

20. Governor Good Hair....

He had a certain Board of Regent member at Texas Tech University blackballed for endorsing Kay Bailey Hutchinson during the last election. How's that for some non partisan political integrity?

[SoapBox]

21. Toss his totally worthless ass in jail.

...worthless.

[A Simple Game]

22. Sounds like a reason to throw him in jail to me. You know, for everyone's safety. n/t

[olegramps]

24. Maybe I am wrong. But, I fear that this country is headed for the oblivion.

How can a person not be concerned when a major faction of the citizens are intent on the destruction of the Federal Government and every progressive program that created the Middle Class. This not just some unsubstantiated charge. The Right Wing extremists have succeeded in bringing the government to a position in which the elected representatives are unable to pass any viable bills effectively bringing about Norquist's dream of drowning it in a bathtub.

There is no end in sight to their destruction of the democratic process of compromise. It is their way or no way. When the facts are considered, the anarchists of nihilism are closing in on a complete victory. Welcome to the new America. It will be a oligarchical theocratic victory that would have made Machiavellian proud. The Borgias knew how to win. Invite the opposition to a superlative dinner and poison them.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

27. Now watch this judge get threatened....

One thing you can say fer sure it's them Rick Perry Supporters are armed and stupid.

[Jackpine Radical]

28. I understand the Grand Jury will be invited on a quail hunt with Dick Cheney.

[DFW]

29. Perry: "La loi, c'est moi"

Maybe not this time, Ricky..........

[SunSeeker]

30. If I were on the Grand Jury, I'd read "those responsible will be held to account" as a threat.

What else is he referring to but some sort of retribution? And for what? Following the law and doing their jobs as jurors?

[mopinko]

42. and who else?

it was the grand jury that brought the indictment. what other "they" is out there?

[Cryptoad]

32. A Thug is s Thug is a Thug! nt

[unionthug777]

44. hmmmm

[wolfie001]

33. The world is finally seeing the cause and effect of Replug policy and influence.

Governor Siegelman should've been pardoned (freed) a long time ago. Our President going down there to have a pow-wow with that lunatic was spineless at best and Perry-hole only used it for his own purposes. These are some of the reasons many Dems have failed to vote. Cynical hopelessness.........

[louis-t]

34. Rick Perry is threatening jurors?

No one told me Rick Perry is threatening jurors. I don't understand why Rick Perry is threatening jurors. Rick Perry shouldn't be threatening jurors. Really, Rick Perry is threatening jurors? Rick Perry could go to prison for threatening jurors. (hashtag)Rick Perry is threatening jurors.

[Uncle Joe]

35. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, DonViejo.

[libdem4life]

39. Maybe that will wipe the smirk off his gloating, self-righteous, smug, sneering mug of a face. n/t

[tblue37]

40. This does sound rather like a threat, doesn't it?

"I am confident we will ultimately prevail . . . and that those responsible will be held to account."

[EEO]

41. Yup. Total veiled threat, and not just to the grand jury. Anyone responsible at any point is...

a target.

[mountain grammy]

45. I long for the day Christie and Perry begin their sentences