Dallas DA Refuses to Testify, Judge Dismisses Case 3/8/13
Associated Press
3/8/13
DALLAS - A state district judge has dismissed the mortgage fraud case
against an oil fortune heir because the Dallas County district attorney refused
to testify.
Judge Lena Levario said Thursday it's clear to her that Craig Watkins was
"calling the shots" when his office investigated Al Hill III. Hill's attorneys
alleged their client was being targeted as a favor to attorney Lisa Blue, a
friend of Watkins' and a campaign donor.
Watkins' refusal to answer questions from Hill's attorneys prompted Levario
to hold him in contempt, though without immediate sanctions.
Other prosecutors testified Watkins attended a "pitch meeting" on the case
before indictment. Prosecutor Stephanie Martin says he asked several questions
about it.
Levario says the evidence she's heard makes the case "smell really bad."