Embattled Texas judge faces disciplinary panel

By PAUL J. WEBER Associated Press Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A Texas judge charged with closing her court before a death row inmate could file a last-minute appeal is headed before a state disciplinary panel.

Judge Sharon Keller on Friday faces five counts of judicial misconduct. The hearing comes nearly three years after she said "We close at 5" while attorneys for a condemned man scrambled to file an appeal hours before his execution.

Keller is presiding judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct could dismiss the charges or recommend she be removed from the bench.

Keller faces no criminal charges. The commission has urged removal of a judge who wasn't under indictment only six times since 2002.

Prosecutors say they'll present a case where the removal option is "on the table."