Under Pressure, Texas Court Allows E-Mail Pleadings

The highest criminal court in Texas, facing a storm of criticism for failing to accept an emergency death penalty appeal 20 minutes after closing time, will now accept some motions by e-mail.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals announced yesterday that it will allow emergency e-mail motions in death penalty cases and other extraordinary matters, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

The court received national attention after the presiding judge, Sharon Keller, refused to accept the late filing in the case of Michael Richard. Several lawyers say they have filed an ethics complaint against Keller with the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct for her September action.