Eclectic commentary from a progressive voice in the red state

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Does the reversal of Tom DeLay's corruption conviction reflect a corrupted court?

The Texas 3rd Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the money laundering conviction of former U. S. Rep. Tom DeLay, claiming the evidence against this morally challenged politico wasn’t sufficient.

But, in many of the news outlets which I have read, the reporting fails to mention that the chief justice J. Woodfin Jones dissented from the majority. As usual, the article in the Texas Tribune provides the most balanced account of the court’s ruling.


I find it hard to believe that the jury would be so misguided as to not see through DeLay’s corruption and I find it easier to believe that the political environment permits the appointment of biased judges. In short, it is my personal belief that justice is being shortchanged. It is good to know that the Travis County district attorney will seek a ruling from a higher court. So, the ethically bankrupt former representative may not be free after all.

We are quite isolated in the Texas Panhandle but my exposure to other parts of the country through friends and relatives. My discussion with them informs me of their view that Texans are not well represented by politicians who put special interests ahead of the interests of Texas residents. It is well past time in Texas that this hardball partisanship and battle over power be put aside for the good of the citizens of the state and not for lining the pockets of political allies in the politicians themselves.