Posted on 03/19/2011 9:43:23 PM PDT by Libloather
Judge bows out of DeLay associates' trial
Reason for removing self remains secret; trial set for April is likely to be postponed.
By Laylan Copelin AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 10:26 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011
The judge who sentenced former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to three years in prison removed himself Thursday from the upcoming trial of two DeLay associates, John Colyandro of Austin and James Ellis of Washington. A few hours later, Senior District Judge Pat Priest denied DeLay's motion for a new trial, kicking off DeLay's appeal of his felony conviction.
In those two separate actions, Priest apparently ended his involvement in one of the state's most political cases in recent years.
Colyandro and Ellis are accused of conspiring to launder corporate money into political donations during the 2002 elections, the same charge DeLay was convicted of after a lengthy, media-intense trial last fall.
Priest's reason for agreeing to remove himself remains secret because the written arguments from both sides were sealed.
"I've been torn how I should proceed," Priest said from the bench at Thursday's pretrial hearing. He said it would be more efficient and less costly if he stayed on the case, which he inherited in late 2005. Then he removed himself without further comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at statesman.com ...
Methinks the tables are turning.
When are they going to prosecute criminals like Soros, Obama, Clintons, Bawny, Pelosi, Holder, Jarrett? I could on and on.
As the farmer hauled another load away... You could tell by the smell it wasn’t hay!!!
Did the judge’s name turn up in the rolls of The Mankind Project along with DA Ronnie Earle?
Ronnie Earle made numerous comments during speeches to liberal groups that he was going to “get” Tom Delay. He also tried to prosecute him on issues that were not Texas State Law during the so called incidents. However, it looks like that is what happened anyway. Grey Eagle
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