On Saturday, Texas will hold historic impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is accused of bribery, unfitness for office, and abuse of public trust. The House has introduced 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton, who has been Texas’ top lawyer for three terms and is one of the GOP’s most prominent legal combatants. If the House votes in favor of impeachment, Paxton will be suspended as the state’s top law enforcement officer pending the outcome of a trial in the Texas Senate.
Posts tagged as “Greg Abbott”
U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting an armed man during a Black Lives Matter protest in Texas in July 2020. Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted that he wanted to pardon Perry, but Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a statement that the jury's decision should be respected. Perry's conviction and sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the rule of law and the decisions of the jury.
Texas Representative Bryan Slaton resigned from office after an investigation found that he had engaged in sexual harassment and retaliation against a 19-year-old intern, as well as providing her with alcohol and demanding her silence. The House General Investigative Committee concluded that Slaton had violated House rules and the Republican Party of Texas chair Matt Rinaldi said Slaton resigned one day before the House was set to vote on expelling him. Slaton did not mention the investigation in his letter of resignation to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
At a press conference on Sunday, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers and FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge James Smith announced a $80,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Francisco Oropesa, a 38-year-old man wanted for the shooting of five people in Cleveland, Texas on Friday night. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has offered additional resources to aid in the search, and over 200 officers are going door to door asking for information. The FBI is asking anyone with information to contact them, and reminding the public that Oropesa is considered armed and dangerous.
Army Sergeant Daniel Perry was found guilty of murdering Garrett Foster at a Black Lives Matter rally in Austin last July. Recently unsealed documents revealed Perry had expressed discontent with the protests and looting that followed the police killing of George Floyd, and had posted white power memes and messages about killing demonstrators on social media. The jury found Perry guilty of murder after deliberating for less than two hours, sparking debate over the use of lethal force in self-defense and the potential for racial bias in the justice system.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is seeking to pardon Sergeant Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder in the 2020 fatal shooting of an armed protester during nationwide protests. Perry had claimed to police that the protester, a U.S. Air Force veteran, had pointed the weapon at him, inspiring him to shoot in self-defense. Abbott has asked the state Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend a pardon and to expedite his request, sparking debate over the use of lethal force in self-defense and the right to bear arms.