[Dallas Morning News clipping: Lawyers want Hampton out] Part: 3 of 4
This clipping is part of the collection entitled: LGBT Collections and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries Special Collections.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Lawyers seek Hampton's ouster from bench
Continued from Page 21A.
signed the petition. Chap-
man - who during a hearing em-
phasized that he was only perform-
ing a "ministerial function" in
forwarding the petition - said he
would hold it until Monday so that
lawyers who could not attend the
hearing could sign.
The lawyers are seeking to re-
move Hampton under Article 15,
Section 6 of the Texas Constitution.
In part, that article gives the Su-
preme Court the authority to re-
move any judge "who shall be
guilty of partiality, or oppression,
or other official misconduct."
According to the Constitution, a
petition for removal must be signed
by at least 10 lawyers "practicing in
the courts held by such judge, and
licensed to practice in the Supreme
Court."
Waybourn said there was a legal
question as to whether the lawyers
signing the petition must have prac-
ticed before Hampton himself orjust state district courts in general.
But he said at least 10 attorneys who
have practiced before Hampton
have pledged to sign.
M. William Nelson, counsel for
the Dallas Gay Alliance, said he
signed the petition because "what
the judge said was wrong; he admit-
ted his decision was based on his
prejudice."
Nelson said he has had several
cases before Hampton and always
found him to be fair, so he was
surprised to see Hampton's com-
ments about the Bednarski case.
"I'm still surprised," Nelson said.
"I'm disappointed, too."
Another signer, Donald J. Mai-
son Jr., said, "There's no doubt the
integrity of the judiciary was com-
promised by those statements."
Lawyer Edward B. Cloutman III
said he signed the petition because
Hampton "has got some feelings
he's willing to express that would
seem out of character for a judge."
One lawyer who did not sign thepetition, John Read, said it was un-
fair to seek Hampton's ouster be-
cause of one newspaper interview.
"I think Judge Hampton is a
damn good judge," Read said. "He
opened his mouth when he
shouldn't have, but he's still a good
judge. . . . I think it's unfair to let
one mistake ruin a man's career."
During a Dec. 22 news confer-
ence, Hampton apologized for a
"poor choice of words" and said he
took many factors into account in
sentencing Bednarski, including
his age - now 19 - family back-
ground and lack of a criminal
record.
Otherwise, Hampton has refused
to talk to reporters. Asked about the
removal petition Thursday, Hamp-
ton said, "I have absolutely nothing
to say to you."
Dallas lawyer Bill Rice, who has
served as spokesman for Hampton,
said, "This whole thing has been
very upsetting to him. But he didwhat he thought was right. He looks
at all the facts and circumstances."
A jury convicted Bednarski of
murder, but he has consistently de-
nied the crime, and his attorney has
appealed.
The removal petition states that
Hampton's comments violated three
canons of the state Code of Judicial
Conduct: that a judge uphold the in-
tegrity and independence of the
judiciary, avoid impropriety and
the appearance of impropriety in all
activities and perform the duties of
the office impartially and dili-
gently.
The Dallas Gay Alliance and
other groups also have filed a com-
plaint against Hampton with the
state Commission on Judicial Con-
duct, which is scheduled to meet
Friday.
"We cannot allow any more
Judge Hamptons," Waybourn said.
"We must make it as difficult as pos-
sible for him to remain in office."
Upcoming Parts
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This clipping can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this part or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current part of this Clipping.
The Dallas Morning News. [Dallas Morning News clipping: Lawyers want Hampton out], clipping, February 10, 1989; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc916952/m1/3/: accessed June 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.