Texas

TexasTowelie

(112,387 posts) Thu Mar 7, 2013, 05:29 PM Mar 2013

Dallas DA refuses to testify, held in contempt

DALLAS —

A state district judge says she may dismiss the mortgage fraud case against an oil fortune heir because the Dallas County district attorney refuses to answer questions about it.

Judge Lena Levario said Thursday it's clear to her that Watkins was "calling the shots" when his office investigated Al Hill III. Hill's attorneys allege their client is being targeted as a favor to attorney Lisa Blue, a friend of Watkins' and a campaign donor.

Watkins declined to testify Thursday and was held in contempt, though without immediate sanctions.

Other prosecutors testified he attended a "pitch meeting" on the case before indictment. Prosecutor Stephanie Martin says he asked several questions about it.

More at http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/texas/dallas-da-due-in-court-on-misconduct-allegations/nWjsk/ .

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Dallas DA refuses to testify, held in contempt (Original Post) TexasTowelie Mar 2013 OP

The exercise of discretion by a Prosecutor is usually absolute and protected Gothmog Mar 2013 #1

More of the never ending H.L. Hunt saga. Downwinder Mar 2013 #2

Gothmog

(145,496 posts)

1. The exercise of discretion by a Prosecutor is usually absolute and protected

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Thu Mar 7, 2013, 05:44 PM

Mar 2013

This is not my area of the law (I am a transactional attorney) but there are some things about this article that pester me. It is my understanding that a court can not review the exercise of discretion by a prosecutor and that trying to question a prosecutor as to the reasons he or she made a decision are normally not allowed.

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)

2. More of the never ending H.L. Hunt saga.

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Thu Mar 7, 2013, 06:38 PM

Mar 2013

Dallas in real life.

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