That they withdrew the motion is surprising to me, since the comparison of a prosecutor prosecuting a defendant whom he opposes politically, to a defense lawyer defending a defendant whom he opposes politically, is a false equivalency.

In any case, it doesn’t make the whole prosecution look any less suspect. You know that, right?

I haven’t heard the complainant’s version of the facts. The indictment alleges an offense.

Maybe, when he was handed the case, Lance should have said “no, thank you.” This does not make him look untouchable. It’s all of a piece—a DA’s Office that, at best, didn’t have the thought that maybe a less-involved lawyer should take a look at this particular case.

As far as the DA’s office making a bad decision you arguably may be right about that but it is a far cry from Lance targeting Judge Jackson because he wants Cary Hart to be the Judge. I think Lance and Paula had this case handed to them a few weeks ago.

Shandon, indiscretion is not crime. The DA’s Office made the decision to prosecute Judge Jackson for something that could fairly have been looked at as foolish but not criminal.

I think a visiting judge would probably be a good idea too, to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Tim, if I recall correctly there’s a statute or constitutional provision creating venue in Travis County for prosecution of statewide elected officials, which makes sense because it’s easier to keep an eye on Travis County than to have statewide officials prosecuted hither and yon by anyone with a grudge. I don’t know of any sure way to find a prosecutor who isn’t interested in U.S. politics, so if statewide elected officials are to be prosecuted, it might as well be done in Travis County as anywhere else.

But with locally-elected officials like Jackson, it would be possible, by going outside the county, to find lawyers who aren’t interested in the local politics and don’t have a dog in the hunt.

I just realized: all three of those cases were defended by DeGuerin and Dickson.

Not sure this really has legs.

Most prosecutors are pretty biased against the defendants.