The Impeachment Trial of Ken Paxton - Day 1
AFTERNOON SESSION
HOUSTON - As opposing sides argued about objections to pre-approved evidence Patrick called an end to the day and announced that the issues would be decided upon Tuesday morning before the trial continues.
The first witness called by the prosecution Jeff Manteer, Paxton's former second-in-command.
Dan Cogdell concludes the defense opening statement using all but 1:00 of the allotted time.
Houston attorney Tony Buzbee starts the opening statement for Paxton's defense.
Opening statement by House Manager Texas State Representative Andrew Murr
MORNING SESSION
The first day of the Impeachment Trial of Warren Kenneth Paxton Junior, in the Texas Senate began with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick swearing in each Texas senator on the Sam Houston bible.
SAM HOUSTON BIBLE
The Chief Justices of the Texas Supreme Court have used a plain, unassuming King James Bible to inaugurate governors and other elected officials for over 150 years. Notable figures of Texas history like the court’s first Chief Justice John Hemphill, Governors James Hogg and Miriam "Ma" Ferguson, and former President George W. Bush have laid their left hand upon it and raised their right, swearing allegiance to our state and its laws.
The Bible itself — almost pocket-sized, and bound in simple brown sheepskin — has a hand-drawn cross on the back, and an antique Texas Supreme Court seal inked onto the front. Inside the back cover, two autographs in looping blue ink are still visible. In 1932, two young girls, Lucille Clendenin and Marjorie Ann Easley, playfully inscribed their names while the Bible’s caretakers were distracted by post-inaugural handshaking. The pages are brittle with age and many are water-stained, probably a result of the fire which claimed the first Capitol in 1881. Fortunately, the holy book was rescued from the court’s quarters on the second story of the building before its destruction.
The motions to dismiss are now being considered with individual votes of "yea" or "nay" being read by the secretary.
Motion 32 Fails 24- 6
Motion 9 fails 22-8
Motion 8 To dismiss articles of impeachment 1-7 and 9-29 Fails 22-8
Motion 6 to quash articles of impeachment - Denied 24-6
Motion 7 request for a bill of particulars, Denied 24-6
Motion 13 to dismiss Article 1 - Denied 22-8
Article 1 - Disregard of Official Duty - Protection of Charitable Organization
Motion 14 to dismiss Article 2 - Denied 22-8
Article 2 - Disregard of Official Duty - Abuse of the Opinion Process
Motion 15 to dismiss Article 3 - Denied 23-7
Article 3 - Disregard of Official Duty - Abuse of the Open Records Process
Motion 16 to dismiss Article 4 - Denied 24-6
Article 4 - Disregard of Official Duty - Misuse of Official Information
Motion 11 to dismiss Article 5 - Denied 22-8
Article 5 - Disregard of Official Duty - Engagement of Cammack
Motion 17 to dismiss Article 6 - Denied 21-9
Article 6 - Disregard of Official Duty - Termination of Whistleblowers
Motion 18 to dismiss Article 8 - Denied 20-10
Article 8 Disregard of Official Duty - Settlement Agreement
Motion 19 to dismiss Articles 7 and 15 23-7
Article 7 - Misapplication of Public Resources - Whistleblower Investigation and Report
Article 15 - False Statements in Official Records - Whistleblower Response Report
Motion 20 to dismiss Articles 9 and 10 - Denied 24- 6
Article 9 Constitutional Bribery - Paul's Employment of Mistress
Article 10 Constitutional Bribery - Paul's providing renovations to Paxton home
Motion 21 to dismiss Articles 16 - 20 - Denied 21-9
Article 16 - Conspiracy and Attempted Conspiracy
Article 17 - Misappropriation of Public Resources
Article 18 - Dereliction of Duty
Article 19 - Unfitness for Office
Article 20 - Abuse of Public Trusts
Motion 10 to exclude evidence gathered in violation of the law Denied 22-8
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ruling on additional motions
Motion 2 to clarify Senate Rules
Patrick clarifies Senate rules specifically regarding time spent by both sides during the trial. A total of 24 hours of examination of evidence and the examination and cross-examination of witnesses.
After a short break, the court reconvened for the reading of the Articles of Impeachment and Paxton entered a plea of not guilty to each one. Houston attorney Tony Buzbee entered the not guilty plea on each article frequently making additional comments; "The attorney general is innocent of those charges and pleads not guilty," and "those statements are flat out false".
The extra comments drew the first objection of the trial from Rusty Hardin, an attorney representing House impeachment managers.
Opening statements will occur after the lunch break.