What was suppose to be a simple plea hearing in the Adrian Peterson case took a bit of a left turn when the prosecuting attorneys ask the judge presiding over the case to recuse himself. DA Brett Ligon didn’t take kindly to Judge Kelly Case referring to the attorneys as “media whores” and promptly filed a motion for his recusal.
Hardin wasted no time Wednesday, in a courtroom session that went slightly off the rails when the prosecution asked for a recusal of Judge Kelly Case. District Attorney Brett Ligon took offense to Judge Case allegedly calling attorneys in the Peterson case “media whores,” and Ligon filed a motion for a new judge. A hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 4 to discuss the possibility of replacing Case. Because of that hearing, Peterson on Wednesday did not enter his expected plea of not guilty.
All of this was a sideshow to Hardin, who arrived on the scene wearing a light gray pinstriped suit and pink tie, whisking up the courthouse steps and into his domain. Remembered nationally for his spirited defense of Roger Clemens in the former star pitcher’s performance-enhancement drugs fiasco, Hardin wearing pinstripes is appropriate. He’s the Texas version of the New York Yankees – a successful, long-tenured, well-known winner in the courtroom who exudes charm.
His record is such that at one point while discussing motions Wednesday, Judge Case turned to Ligon and referenced having known Hardin for a number of years. Perhaps that’s why Ligon appealed to have Judge Case removed. Or perhaps it’s because the district attorney and judge have a bloodied relationship from other legal battles.
Indeed, three times in a 14-month span Ligon successfully argued to overturn rulings rendered by Judge Case. In all three contentious appeals, Ligon said Case had not upheld Texas law, and the appellate court agreed. Those appeals led to Judge Case coming under media scrutiny, as well his decision to once jail a schoolteacher for six hours (without bond) for missing jury duty. With that in mind, it’s fair to say the history between the prosecution and the presiding judge is less than pristine.
Hardin knows as much, and he could be seen yielding to the judge at various times, most interesting during the “media whores” discussion. Hardin told Judge Case it didn’t bother him and that he had been called worse. The prosecution apparently didn’t find it so amusing.
I’m not sure if the judge’s comments about the attorneys being “media whores” struck a nerve with the prosecution or if they just didn’t want to take their chances with the current judge given the DA’s recent history with him. If this is a precursor for what is to come down the line, then I expect things to get quite interesting when the trial begins. Peterson’s attorney seemed pretty confident that once both sides of the story come out the tune would change a bit in public opinion, but he did make a very good point. The longer this drags out, the longer the media has time to dig into Peterson’s history and reveal any and all skeletons in his closet.