Austin Statesman blog: Keller case moving closer to resolution (Texas)

[Heidi]

Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 10:04 AM

Finally, there is movement in the proceedings against Judge Sharon Keller, accused of improperly closing the state’s highest criminal court to a death row inmate on the evening of his execution.

Today, both sides expect to receive transcripts of Keller’s four-day August trial, kicking off two deadlines that will bring the matter closer to a resolution.

Once the transcript is in hand, the defense and prosecution will have two weeks to file proposed findings of fact to District Judge David Berchelmann Jr.

Then they’ll have one week to file objections to the other side’s proposal.

And then it will be up to Berchelmann, whose job as special master requires him to submit his findings of fact to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Berchelmann has no deadlines beyond a state law that requires him to act “promptly.”

The Commission on Judicial Conduct charged Keller with violating her duty as a judge and with bringing discredit upon the judiciary when she refused to keep the court open for an after-hours appeal by death row inmate Michael Richard in 2007.

Read more

Earlier DU LBN discussion
Earlier DU GD discussion

[Heidi]

1. Keller-gets-kicked-out Countdown kick.

Am I the only one waiting with bated breath for this wretch to be removed from her position as presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals?

:kick: