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The impeachment case against suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton has gone to the jury. Texas Senators are deliberating 16 articles of impeachment. Paxton is accused of misusing the powers of the attorney general’s office to help his friend and donor Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor who was under federal investigation. Senators began deliberations around noon Friday, but began leaving the Capitol without a verdict before 8 p.m.
The House impeachment managers insisted that they proved their claims of bribery and corruption, arguing that the jury of 30 senators had no choice but to convict. Paxton’s defense team said the case was full of holes, circumstantial evidence and misdirection.
If 21 of 30 eligible senators convict Paxton on any of the 16 articles of impeachment, he is automatically removed from office and there will be a subsequent vote on whether to permanently bar him from seeking state office. Sen. Angela Paxton, the attorney general’s wife, was prohibited from participating in deliberations or voting.
The deliberations are scheduled to recommence on Saturday at 9 a.m.
After more than six hours of deliberation in the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, several senators have departed the Capitol without reaching a conclusive verdict.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed senators to engage in deliberations until at least 8 p.m. this afternoon. It is anticipated that the senators will resume deliberations on Saturday at 9 a.m.
– Kate McGee
If the Texas Senate decides to take their time, this weekend could potentially be extended.
Before senators left the floor to deliberate on the 16 impeachment articles against suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick informed them that they have the flexibility to return and vote on each article whenever they choose, as long as they provide a minimum 30-minute notice.
“Patrick stated that unless they are prepared to vote, they are required to engage in deliberations until at least 8 p.m. tonight. However, they have the option to extend the duration if they so desire.”
Patrick said that if additional time is required, they would have to reconvene at 9 a.m. on Saturday and continue their discussions until at least 8 p.m. Additionally, if necessary, a session would be held on Sunday, starting at noon and lasting until at least 8 p.m.
Patrick stated that if the senators are not prepared to vote by that time, he may opt to confine them within the Capitol.
– Kate McGee
After the closing arguments from lawyers representing both sides, the state Senate has adjourned from the Senate floor to commence deliberations in the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.
While presiding over the impeachment proceedings, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick informed senators on Friday morning that they are prohibited from reading news, using cell phones, or engaging in conversations with anyone other than fellow senators during their deliberations.
In order to remove Paxton from office, a minimum of 21 senators, which represents two-thirds of the full Senate, must vote in favor of any of the 16 articles. Additionally, if an article is confirmed, senators will also cast their votes on whether Paxton should be permanently prohibited from holding any state office in the future.
Sen. Angela Paxton, a Republican from McKinney, is prohibited from participating in deliberations or casting votes due to a restriction known as “spousal conflict,” as per the regulations authorized by fellow senators.
-Kate McGee
During the closing arguments for the prosecution, Rep. Andrew Murr, a Republican from Junction, meticulously guided the senators through every impeachment article, emphasizing key evidence and testimonies that were presented throughout the preceding two weeks.
During deliberations, the House impeachment managers presented audio clips of witness testimony and suggested particular exhibits for senators to examine.
He emphasized how Paxton often relied on “additional phones” and encrypted messaging, particularly when communicating with an external attorney hired by Paxton to examine his friend Nate Paul’s allegations against federal law enforcement.
Murr guided senators as he explained how Paxton’s key deputies, responsible for various agency departments, pieced together the evidence of Paxton’s actions and reached the undeniable conclusion that it constituted illegal behavior that they could not overlook.
Murr dismissed the defense’s claim that whistleblowers should have approached Paxton directly to voice their concerns, stating that the puzzle pieces fitting together that day made them realize the magnitude of the problem.
He said that the line of questioning failed to acknowledge the numerous warnings, conversations, and pleas urging Mr. Paxton to cease requesting his office to perform tasks for Nate Paul, spanning over several months.
Additionally, Murr focused on an overlooked piece of evidence during the trial – a concealed Uber account belonging to Paxton that was connected to Nate Paul’s credit card. Within this document, it is revealed that numerous Uber rides took place between July and October 2020, with destinations including Laura Olson’s residence and Nate Paul’s establishments. Murr highlighted the fact that these rides abruptly ceased the day after Paxton’s deputies notified the FBI about him.
Drawing on Paxton’s defense’s assertion that “there are no coincidences in Austin,” Murr urged senators to contemplate whether the evidence presented could be simply brushed off as mere happenstance.
He informed the senators that this vote would likely be the only one discussed in the future, yet he earnestly urged them to reflect on the significance of their public service.
Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican from Plano, concluded his closing arguments with a heartfelt appeal to his fellow GOP lawmakers. Acknowledging the significance of the vote at hand, he emphasized his personal connection with Paxton, whom he had previously regarded as a trusted adviser. However, Leach expressed that his perception of Paxton had shifted due to the latter’s conduct in recent years.
Leach stated that, despite the discomfort it may cause, he firmly believes in upholding articles of impeachments.
– Kate McGee
In his concluding statements, Tony Buzbee, the chief attorney representing Ken Paxton, downplayed the impeachment charges as insignificant and implored the senators to reinstate Paxton promptly, allowing him to resume his duties.
During his testimony, Buzbee asserted that Paxton, as the state’s highest-ranking attorney, had the authority to perform all of the actions in question. He argued that Paxton was merely fulfilling his duty by investigating Nate Paul’s allegations of rights violations by federal law enforcement.
Buzbee expressed that there are instances when federal authorities make mistakes. He mentioned that Paxton resorted to seeking external legal assistance to examine Paul’s allegations solely with the intention of discovering the truth.
Following the conclusion of Buzbee’s presentation, defense lawyer Dan Cogdell was given a mere few minutes to conclude their arguments.
Cogdell informed the Senate that he believes there may have been actions performed by him that you might have found displeasing, and he comprehends that. However, he emphasized that the main concern is not those actions themselves, but rather the presence of concrete evidence that is compelling enough to convince you without any reasonable doubt. He pointed out that this level of proof is not equivalent to what is required in a death penalty case.
–Kate McGee
During the impeachment trial of the suspended attorney general, Tony Buzbee, Ken Paxton’s lead lawyer, consistently alluded to the Bush family in his concluding statements.
Throughout the trial, Buzbee and his defense team have made several attempts to connect the impeachment proceedings with the Republican political dynasty. They have implied that the whistleblowers, who reported Paxton to federal law enforcement, were collaborating with Paxton’s political adversaries.
Buzbee announced that today marks the end of the Bush era in Texas.
Buzbee contended that on October 1, 2020, the same day when senior staff notified Paxton about their disclosure of his association with real estate investor Nate Paul to the FBI, former Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who had been defeated by Paxton in the previous year’s Republican primary runoff, filed an application to renew his law license.
Once more, Buzbee attempted to establish a connection between the whistleblowers and the Bush family by highlighting the fact that a collective of whistleblowers had enlisted the services of the same attorney to advocate for their cause.
Buzbee claimed that the individuals involved are simply former employees who are dissatisfied and have enlisted a lawyer who happens to be a protégé of the Bush administration.
— Kate McGee
On Friday morning, Rep. Andrew Murr, a Republican from Junction, commenced his closing arguments by asserting that the Texas House did not take the decision to bring articles of impeachment against suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton lightly. Instead, they uncovered instances of “unprecedented abuse.”
According to Murr, it is imperative that Paxton is ousted from his position as he allegedly abused his authority to favor Austin real estate investor Nate Paul.
Murr expressed to the senators that he believes the individual in question has betrayed both us and the citizens of Texas. Additionally, Murr warned that if this person is granted further authority, they will persist in their misuse of power.
After the defense, Murr will be given a total of 50 minutes to complete his arguments.
In his closing statements, attorney Tony Buzbee, representing Paxton, pointed out the lack of evidence presented by the prosecutors to substantiate their allegations.
He cautioned senators, stating that if they choose to oust the Republican attorney general from his position, they should bear in mind that, “If it’s possible for him, it’s possible for anyone.”
According to Buzbee, the House impeachment managers’ argument revolved around speculation, possibilities, and uncertainties, making it completely devoid of substance.
–Kate McGee
The impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton is being presided over by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. As state senators get ready to deliberate on the 16 articles of impeachment, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has established guidelines and regulations.
Each party will be given an hour to deliver their closing arguments. To commence the proceedings, Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, will present a 10-minute closing argument, followed by an hour allotted to the defense to present their arguments. Subsequently, the prosecution will utilize the remaining 50 minutes to conclude their closing arguments.
Patrick cautioned the senators that once deliberations commence, they are strictly permitted to converse solely amongst themselves, with a strict prohibition on using phones or accessing computers to read news or communicate with others.
Patrick advised that one can bid their children or spouse good night, but they should refrain from reading or viewing any news or accessing their computers. If senators require more than a day to deliberate, they are permitted to sleep outside the Capitol.
He observed that Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, is unable to participate in deliberations or voting due to a “spousal conflict.” However, he highlighted that a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction on any charge, which would necessitate at least 21 senators voting in favor of conviction.
If Paxton is convicted of any article, he will be removed from office. Following the House’s impeachment vote in late May, he was suspended without pay.
Patrick stressed to the jurors the importance of solely considering the evidence presented during the trial, including the testimonies of witnesses. Additionally, he made it clear that remarks made by lawyers should not be taken as evidence.
On Friday morning, Patrick addressed the members of the public seated in the gallery, emphasizing that what they were about to witness was not a typical trial but rather 16 trials combined into one.
Patrick said members of the public will be alerted, via the Texas Senate website, 30 minutes prior to the start of voting. Senators will vote from their desks on each individual motion.
– Kate McGee
At approximately 8:50 a.m., Attorney General Ken Paxton confidently entered the Senate chamber and promptly settled into his seat at the defense table alongside his chief attorney, Tony Buzbee.
Since the initial day of the trial, when he was obligated to respond to the 16 articles of impeachment as per the rules, he has been absent. On that day, Buzbee entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, and Paxton refrained from testifying in his own defense.
The judge, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, was convinced by his lawyers and ruled that he would not be allowed to testify.
–Zach Despart
After 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s team concluded their case. The defense presented a total of four witnesses, all of whom are current department heads currently employed at the agency.
They still had several hours of free time left.
Instead of refuting the prosecution’s narrative of corruption and bribery, the defense seemed to focus on attacking specific articles of impeachment.
Despite being allowed one hour each to present rebuttal evidence, the lawyers representing the defense and prosecution have decided to forego this opportunity and proceed directly to their closing arguments when the impeachment trial resumes at 9 a.m. on Friday.
— Zach Despart
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