(Good to see more Texans standing up against a rogue Judge. Keep up the good work, y'all. - promoted by boadicea)
Today, the Houston Chronicle reported that 130 people signed a complaint against Judge Sharon Keller prepared by the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association. One of the signers was Judge Susan Criss.
The first complaint against Keller was filed last week by twenty lawyers. A second complaint was filed by State Representative Lon Burnam. Now, the HCCLA have filed their complaint. And another complaint by members of the general public will be filed against Keller on October 30.
State Commission on Judicial Conduct
P.O. Box 12265
Austin, TX 78711
Dear Members of the Commission:
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Judge Sharon Keller, Presiding Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. On the evening of September 25, 2007, Judge Keller refused to keep her office open past 5pm to accept the pleading of Michael Richard, a man scheduled to be executed by lethal injection that same night. Judge Keller's unethical actions require the commission to take immediate disciplinary measures against her.
Mr. Richard's constitutional rights were denied by Judge Keller and he was executed later that night. This incident has cast a pall over the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and has greatly diminished the public's perception of the courts as a fair and impartial mechanism for justice.
Judge Keller knew Mr. Richard's pleading was on its way to the court and still she refused to open her doors and accept the submission. This may have been understandable in the case of a traffic ticket violation, but when a person's life is at stake it is simply unconscionable. Judge Keller should be reprimanded promptly for her judicial misconduct. The damage done to the integrity of Texas courts is not irreversible; however, it must include stringent disciplinary action against Judge Keller, including the consideration of removing her from office.
Joining a swelling tide of criticism, 130 attorneys from Harris County have filed a judicial conduct complaint condemning the actions of Judge Sharon Keller, who presides over the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
The latest complaint against Keller, filed late Wednesday by the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, also was signed by state District Judge Susan Criss of Galveston, retired state District Judge Jay W. Burnett and six regular citizens.
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The Harris County defense bar is calling for all other state bar agencies to complain about Keller as well.
"Every bar group should be incensed at this conduct and this callousness," said Patrick McCann, president of the Harris County group. "This judge knew what the effect of shutting that door was."
