Texas AG Ken Paxton appeals fraud case again in final attempt to quash felony indictments

AUSTIN -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has appealed his three felony fraud indictments yet again, delaying any possible trial in the case into next year in the hope that the state's highest criminal court will throw out the charges.

"Ken Paxton has been charged with a crime that simply doesn't exist, using a grand jury that was improperly impaneled," Bill Mateja, one of Paxton's attorneys, said in a statement early Tuesday. "This petition was filed with the Court of Criminal Appeals to not only correct the lower court's mistake but to end this improper prosecution."

Brian Wice, one of three special prosecutors handling the case, shot back that a lower court that denied Paxton's first attempt to quash his indictments was right to do so.

"By simply asking for a 'do-over,' Mr. Paxton's petition falls far short of the exacting standard he must meet before the State's highest criminal court will review a court of appeals' decision," Wice added.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20160802-texas-ag-ken-paxton-appeals-fraud-case-again-in-final-attempt-to-quash-felony-indictments.ece