Attorney General Ken Paxton has accused Republican Rep. Jeff Leach of unethical behavior involving contact with a judge in the Robert Roberson case. Deputy Solicitor General William Cole reported Leach’s correspondence to the Texas Supreme Court, which blocked Roberson’s scheduled execution. Leach, who sits on the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, had contacted an unnamed judge, urging reconsideration of Roberson’s case. The Court of Criminal Appeals general counsel deemed Leach’s actions a violation of professional conduct rules for lawyers, as they sought to influence a judge on a pending matter outside official channels.
In response, Leach publicly admitted his mistake, stating he had texted the judge because he believed Roberson deserves a new trial. However, the judge declined to consider the message or discuss any pending matters. Paxton has requested the Supreme Court to void the Roberson subpoena and criticized Leach’s actions as unethical.
Roberson, who was convicted of capital murder in the 2002 death of his daughter, Nikki, did not testify before the House committee after Paxton’s office insisted he could only testify via teleconference. Committee members rejected this offer due to concerns about Roberson’s autism.
Paxton’s office has launched an investigation into the matter, aiming to address the alleged misconduct and ensure the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings involving Roberson. Leach has expressed regret for his actions and acknowledged the need for professional standards in legal interactions.
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