Lawyers file complaint against Texas judge

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- A group of Texas lawyers has filed a complaint against the head of the state appeals court, arguing that a man executed recently was denied due process.

Michael Richards was put to death Sept. 25, the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge by two Kentucky death row inmates to the procedure of lethal injection.

Two former Texas attorneys generals have challenged the conduct of Attorney General Greg Abbott, The San Antonio Express-News reported. They say Abbott had the duty to halt Richards' execution.

The 20 lawyers who filed a formal judicial conduct complaint Wednesday against Sharon Keller -- the presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals -- charge that she was moved by her personal views in favor of capital punishment when she refused to keep the courthouse open for 20 minutes past the normal closing time to allow Richards' lawyers to file a request for a stay.

Her action also barred the lawyers from a last-minute appeal for a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, because the state application is part of the procedure.