You may recall the scandalous story of Elizabeth Coker, a Texas judge who was busted texting prosecutors and coaching them what to say in her courtroom. Coker resignation became effective on December 6. Just two days later, she announced her run for District Attorney on Facebook. Coker said that she has seen the need for improvement in the office of the Distict Attorney “first-hand.”
Coker resigned ahead of a State Commission on Judicial Conduct investigation into text messages and other improper ex parte communications and meetings with prosecutors in the Polk County District Attorney’s Office, the San Jacinto County District Attorney, and certain defense attorneys regarding various cases pending in her court.
The commission noted that she “allegedly exhibited a bias in favor of certain attorneys and a prejudice against others in both her judicial rulings and her court appointments.” Investigators also expressed concerns that Coker “discussed the Commission’s investigation and [her] written responses to the investigation with a material witness prior to that witness’ testimony before the Commission in an apparent attempt to influence that witness, and that the judge may not have been candid and truthful in her testimony before the Commission when questioned about her contact with the witness.”
…and that’s not all of it. Judge – now former Judge – Elizabeth Coker is also accused of improper meetings with jurors and defense attorneys about cases in her court. She has been forced to resign in lieu of disciplinary action, and will have to foot the costs of any litigation that arises because of her misconduct. No word as of yet whether all of the people convicted in her kangaroo court will get retrials.
For-profit correction facilities? What could possibly go wrong?