Removal Suit Filed Against Judge Baker

TYLER — A civil suit has been filed in district court to remove from office Smith County Judge Joel Baker. The Executive Director of Grassroots America, JoAnn Fleming announced Monday that the suit had been filed. Fleming said the suit was filed by Dallas lawyers Trey Trainor and Joe Nixon. The suit was filed for two reasons, incompetency and official misconduct over a school zones camera agreement and over sexting allegations that surround the judge. Fleming said, since the judge won’t resign, and there is no statutory authority for a recall election, the only way to remove him is to petition to have him removed.