Judge takes stand in Hinds County DA Smith's case
Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill testified Friday in the trial of District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith that he went to the attorney general's office about week before Smith's initial arrest to report what he considered illegal activity by Smith.
It's a rare occurrence for a sitting judge to testify in a criminal case. Weill was called as a witness by Smith's defense to try to bolster his argument that attorneys in the AG's office and Weill conspired against him. Assistant Attorney General Stanley Alexander ran against Smith in the last election.
Also, some attorneys in the AG's office are former employees of the Hinds County District Attorney's office.
Smith is accused of conspiring to hinder defendant Christopher Butler's prosecution in four different Hinds County Circuit Court cases. The state also alleges in its misdemeanor charge that Smith aided Butler in several ways, including visiting Butler in jail without his attorney present.
Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/12/30/judge-takes-stand-da-smiths-case/96002064/
