US judge ‘ignored death row plea’
US judge ‘ignored death row plea’
A judge in Texas has gone on trial accused of refusing to let lawyers for a convicted murderer on death row lodge a last-minute appeal.
Sharon Keller is charged with professional misconduct.
The prisoner, Michael Wayne Richard, was put to death hours after she allegedly shut the court, despite being told an appeal was imminent.
Half of all executions in the US last year were in Texas and Judge Keller has earned the nickname Sharon Killer.
She is known for her tough stance on the death penalty.
This is just sad. Access to justice is a fundamental human right and brings with it the right to lodge appeals. It is appalling that such a judge can preside over the Texas Court of Appeal
