Civil Suit Against Judge Baker Halted

TYLER – An attorney acting on behalf of the state of Texas has declined to issue a necessary citation in the civil suit seeking the removal of Smith County Judge Joel Baker. The action was filed Thursday in 7th District Court in Tyler. The civil suit seeking the judge’s removal was filed by Grassroots America We The People. Attorney Jim Parsons of Palestine said the citation wasn’t necessary since circumstances arising since his appointment have mooted the issues raised in the petition. Those circumstances are the indictment of Baker and the State Commission on Judicial Conduct suspending the judge without pay. Grassroots spokeswoman JoAnn Fleming told KETK their attorney will file papers agreeing to suspend their petition. The judge is accused of holding illegal closed meetings He is also under investigation for allegations he was involved in explicit sexual behavior online while conducting government business.

In a news release, Fleming said they agreed the Texas Attorney General’s case against Baker should proceed through the justice system. If he is convicted on any one of those three counts, he will be removed from office. If Baker is found innocent of the current indictment charges, and remains in office, they will come back with their petition for the removal of the judge, based on the sexting cause cited in their civil suit.