Texas Legislator Moves to Impeach Judge Sharon Keller Over Execution of Prisoner

Texas Rep. Lon Burnam has filed a resolution seeking an impeachment investigation of Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Sharon Keller, who has been denounced around the world for her refusal to keep a court office open to allow the filing of a late appeal in a death case. The prisoner, Michael Richard, was executed that night.

Keller was long viewed as hostile to death row cases and was given the nickname “Killer Keller.”

The incident has led to a movement to remove Keller on various sites.
Keller admits that she ordered the clerks office to close despite being informed of the late filing on Sept. 25, 2007. The late filing was due to computer problems of defense counsel. Keller’s outrageous decision led to a change in the court’s rules. However, it is clear that she lacked even a modicum of humanity in the matter by treating a final round death appeal like a late civil filing.

Keller is probably fine given the control of both houses by the GOP. However, the impeachment demand will put considerable pressure on her allies to forgive a clearly abusive decision.

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