Houston Area Judge Found Guilty In Official Oppression Case
Houston Area Judge Found Guilty In Official Oppression Case by a jury of his peers, as they returned a guilty verdict Friday, December 18th, 2009, in the trial of Harris County District Court Judge Donald Jackson, who was accused of offering to dismiss a woman’s case, in exchange for a sexual relationship.
For those of you who do not understand “OPPRESSION“…here is what wikipedia says about it:
Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a burdensome, cruel, or unjust manner. It can also be defined as an act or instance of oppressing, the state of being oppressed, and the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, and anxiety.
Houston Area Judge Found Guilty In Official Oppression Case and what Judge Donald Jackson is facing next is the punishment phase of the trial. Jackson could face up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Judge Jackson attorneys began closing arguments by yelling at their own client.
They told the jury they’re ashamed of Judge Jackson for meeting up with a defendant in his court and trying to date her. Of course they insisted it wasn’t official oppression as any slimy attorney would do…they used this tactic through out the trail.
Judge Jackson’s slimy attorneys attacked Ariana Venegas, the woman at the center of this case.
“In a criminal trial, the victim is not a party to the case, but she’s along for the ride, and that ride was a rough one,” stated Rob Todd, Venegas’ attorney.
Prosecutors tried to use the judge’s own words against him, pointing out that he repeatedly lied to investigators when first questioned about Venegas. Once again, prosecutors played the secretly recorded conversation between Jackson and an investigator where the judge initially denied calling Venegas and asking her to dinner.
“I have no recollection of ever contacting a defendant and asking them to go to dinner with me. I have had lots of defendants end up being my waiters in restaurants and coming to my table and saying you are my judge,” Judge Jackson said on the tape.
Both sides agree that Judge Jackson did call, meet, and tried to date Venegas. However, defense attorneys insist the judge only did something stupid, not illegal.
As the jury deliberates on the penalty for Judge Jackson’s behavior, Venegas’ attorney states that he hopes the jury sends a message.
“He’s admitted he did this. It’s not just wrong, it’s beyond wrong. It’s something that doesn’t only just reflect on him, it’s reflective of every judge down here,” stated Venegas’s attorney.
For the full story of “Houston Area Judge Found Guilty In Official Oppression Case,” go to ABCLocal.com.
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All he going to get one (1) year in prison and four thousand dollar fine and this is enough for what he did I can’t believe that. That is just a slap on the hand and that is a fact.