Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated a criminal referral, accusing State Rep. Leach of a "serious breach of ethical rules and violation of the law".
This action follows revelations that Leach sent text messages to Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter in an attempt to sway her opinion. Leach later acknowledged the messages, explaining he was "passionate" about the case of Robert Roberson, who faced execution earlier this month for the murder of his two-year-old daughter. The execution was delayed due to legal interventions by Leach and other state lawmakers.
"Jeff Leach sought to alter the outcome of capital punishment proceedings by criminally attempting to influence a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals," said Paxton citing Texas Penal Code 36.04, which prohibits "improper influence." This law makes it a crime to "privately address a representation, entreaty, argument, or other communication to any public servant who exercises or will exercise official discretion in an adjudicatory proceeding with an intent to influence the outcome of the proceeding on the basis of considerations other than those authorized by law."
To this end, Paxton is preparing a criminal referral for the case. Additionally, citing Leach's role as chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, Paxton has called for his resignation.
After issuing a subpoena to Roberson, Leach purported to represent the Texas House of Representatives in the legal proceedings surrounding the efforta move that has been challenged already for violating state law.
Now, Leach has another hurdle as a newly released letter reveals Leach purportedly attempted to text a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals in a bid to sway their opinion:
Leach: Judge I've wracked my brain about whether I should send you this message…about where 1 even can send you this message legally and ethically.
Being that I am not a party to active litigation in front of the CCA nor an attorney representing any active party, and being that I've made comments publicly, I simply am compelled to send you this message.
One Judge. That's all that is needed to simply say… there are too many questions and too many holes and too much uncertainty… and Robert Roberson deserves a new trial. Judge Alcala communicated to the Committee that the CCA can sua sponte do so. And that's my hope and prayer.
Only sending this message to you. And you alone. As my friend and as a wonderful Judge who I have so much faith in, I hope you'll consider doing so."
The judge responded saying it was an "ex parte" communication, meaning communication about a case without the knowledge or consent of all parties involved. Such communication is not only prohibited by disciplinary rules but state law as well.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/ag-paxton-refers-rep-leach-for-criminal-investigation-over-alleged-judicial-interference/
https://texasscorecard.com/state/jeff-leachs-alleged-texts-to-judge-on-death-row-case-sparks-legal-concerns/
Leach sent the illegal texts to 1 of the 3 RINOs (Judge Slaughter) who lost their seats to grassroots conservatives on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in the 2024 Primaries (Schenck, Parker, and Finley all won the primaries and are heavy favorites in the general. Schenck is poised to become the new Presiding Judge aka Chief Justice in 2025). The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is our state's highest criminal court. Every judge on the court is Republican.
"legally": Leach is basically admitting to breaking the law in his text message.
Can't believe Abbott endorsed this RINO. All of the RINOs Abbott endorsed against lost. Abbott only endorsed Leach because Leach voted for school choice. Hopefully Abbott will endorse against Leach next time, if Leach decides to run again. The crime in Leach's text message is punishable by up to one year in jail. 24 RINOs lost their jobs in the 2024 Texas Primaries, but RINOs still remain in the Texas House. The Texas Senate is RINO free.
This action follows revelations that Leach sent text messages to Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michelle Slaughter in an attempt to sway her opinion. Leach later acknowledged the messages, explaining he was "passionate" about the case of Robert Roberson, who faced execution earlier this month for the murder of his two-year-old daughter. The execution was delayed due to legal interventions by Leach and other state lawmakers.
"Jeff Leach sought to alter the outcome of capital punishment proceedings by criminally attempting to influence a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals," said Paxton citing Texas Penal Code 36.04, which prohibits "improper influence." This law makes it a crime to "privately address a representation, entreaty, argument, or other communication to any public servant who exercises or will exercise official discretion in an adjudicatory proceeding with an intent to influence the outcome of the proceeding on the basis of considerations other than those authorized by law."
To this end, Paxton is preparing a criminal referral for the case. Additionally, citing Leach's role as chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence, Paxton has called for his resignation.
After issuing a subpoena to Roberson, Leach purported to represent the Texas House of Representatives in the legal proceedings surrounding the efforta move that has been challenged already for violating state law.
Now, Leach has another hurdle as a newly released letter reveals Leach purportedly attempted to text a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals in a bid to sway their opinion:
Leach: Judge I've wracked my brain about whether I should send you this message…about where 1 even can send you this message legally and ethically.
Being that I am not a party to active litigation in front of the CCA nor an attorney representing any active party, and being that I've made comments publicly, I simply am compelled to send you this message.
One Judge. That's all that is needed to simply say… there are too many questions and too many holes and too much uncertainty… and Robert Roberson deserves a new trial. Judge Alcala communicated to the Committee that the CCA can sua sponte do so. And that's my hope and prayer.
Only sending this message to you. And you alone. As my friend and as a wonderful Judge who I have so much faith in, I hope you'll consider doing so."
The judge responded saying it was an "ex parte" communication, meaning communication about a case without the knowledge or consent of all parties involved. Such communication is not only prohibited by disciplinary rules but state law as well.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/ag-paxton-refers-rep-leach-for-criminal-investigation-over-alleged-judicial-interference/
https://texasscorecard.com/state/jeff-leachs-alleged-texts-to-judge-on-death-row-case-sparks-legal-concerns/
Leach sent the illegal texts to 1 of the 3 RINOs (Judge Slaughter) who lost their seats to grassroots conservatives on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in the 2024 Primaries (Schenck, Parker, and Finley all won the primaries and are heavy favorites in the general. Schenck is poised to become the new Presiding Judge aka Chief Justice in 2025). The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is our state's highest criminal court. Every judge on the court is Republican.
"legally": Leach is basically admitting to breaking the law in his text message.
Can't believe Abbott endorsed this RINO. All of the RINOs Abbott endorsed against lost. Abbott only endorsed Leach because Leach voted for school choice. Hopefully Abbott will endorse against Leach next time, if Leach decides to run again. The crime in Leach's text message is punishable by up to one year in jail. 24 RINOs lost their jobs in the 2024 Texas Primaries, but RINOs still remain in the Texas House. The Texas Senate is RINO free.