Texas Appeals Court Dismisses Criminal Charges Against Rick Perry

A vicious, politically-vindictive attempt by a special prosecutor to criminalize efforts by former Texas Gov. Rich Perry to force the resignation of Travis County Prosecutor Rosemary Lehmberg following her drunk driving arrest and conviction has been blocked by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Criminal charges were filed against Perry after he first threatened to veto funds for her office's public integrity unit if Lehmberg didn't resign, followed by the elimination of the unit's funding from the state when she refused to resign.

Perry was charged with abuse of public office, a felony carrying a sentence of up to life in prison, and coercion of a public official. A trial court judge refused to toss the charges as did a court of appeals. Today's decision throwing out both charges was made by the state's highest court for appealing criminal cases. Gov. Perry maintained he had only been criminally charged because of his efforts to enforce the rule of law. Lehmberg became belligerent with police following her arrest and at one point had to be physically restrained. She threatened jailers and demanded they call the sheriff to come to her assistance. She was ultimately sentenced to 45 days in jail for her crime, but she refused to give up her job as the Travis County Prosecutor. Incredibly, Lehmberg was not disciplined by Texas bar authorities for her outrageous conduct and criminal conviction.