Arrest warrant issued for former Williamson DA Ken Anderson in Morton case

[TexasTowelie]

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- An arrest warrant has been issued for Ken Anderson, the former district attorney accused of withholding evidence in a murder trial more than 25 years ago.

Anderson prosecuted the case against Michael Morton, a man wrongfully accused of a murder he didn't commit in 1986. DNA evidence exonerated him after he spent 25 years in prison.

According to our partners with the Austin American-Statesman, the judge decided Friday there is probable cause to arrest Anderson for contempt of court, tampering with physical evidence and tampering with a government record, after evidence from a court of inquiry was conducted into how he handled the Morton case.

Anderson must pay a $2,500 fine for each charge. Sgt. John Foster with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office says Anderson is heading to the Williamson County Jail with his lawyers where he plans to post bond.

More at http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Court-of-inquiry-for-Ken-Anderson-wraps-Friday-203793861.html .

[TexasTowelie]

1. Link to Austin American-Statesman article:

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/ken-anderson-court-of-inquiry-resumes/nXRLm/

[hobbit709]

2. Couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

He really should do 25 years for real justice.

[dballance]

3. Wow, and GOOD. It's Pretty Major for a Judge to Issue an Arrest Warrant for Another Judge

I'm glad this is happening. We continue to see in many of these cases that the prosecution or the police or the police and prosecution together have done grave deeds of misconduct. Some of these prosecutors aspiring to higher office or public office probably justify to themselves this misconduct as "bending the rules." But the real reason is to secure high-profile convictions and make a name for themselves. They need to be publicly punished to set an example so others will not do the same thing.

Just like casinos - the odds always favor the house. In this case the prosecution. People are supposed to be presumed innocent but that's not the way human nature works. Just the fact that one is on trial creates an air of guilt around them. Some jury members on every jury are going to think "well s/he got arrested; they must have done something wrong." The cards are already stacked in the prosecution's favor. They should be cheating in addition to that.

[TexasTowelie]

4. Revolving door.

He was out of jail almost immediately on bail and still gets to serve as a state district judge.

[dballance]

5. Even Though He Hasn't Been Convicted, It Would be Wise for Him to Take a Leave

There are ethics rules for judges. This isn't like he got a DUII and should be totally embarrassed. He's accused of pervading the legal system as a prosecutor. What does that say for his ability to be a fair and impartial judge? He should not be hearing or ruling on cases until after these charges are cleared up.

I know he's supposed to be innocent until proven guilty so there is no real reason he could suspended or that he legally should not continue as a judge. But a judge should step aside until it's all over just to take any appearance of impropriety out of things.

[TwilightZone]

6. I'm pleased, though surprised.

I really didn't expect him to be held responsible, even symbolically.