Judge Recuses Himself from Baker Case

TYLER — A district judge has recused himself from a high profile case after a petition was filed on Monday to remove Smith County Judge Joel Baker from office. KETK reports that in Judge Kerry L. Russell’s order of recusal, he requested the presiding judge of the First Administrative Judicial Region assign a judge to hear the case. Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming announced Monday that a civil suit to remove Baker had been filed in district court by two Dallas lawyers.

Fleming said 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.