Observer wins Bar award

Dallas Observer staff writer Christine Biederman has won a 1998 Gavel Award for her October 2 story "Temper, temper" about the troubles afflicting U.S. District Judge John Henry McBryde of Fort Worth.

Biederman was one of 14 reporters in 11 categories to win Gavel Awards, given by the Public Affairs Committee of the State Bar of Texas for reporting that promotes understanding of the justice system.

"Temper, temper" focused on McBryde's reputation as a tough, cantankerous judge whose temperament has won him enemies in North Texas' legal community. Because of complaints from lawyers and other judges, McBryde earlier this year was temporarily removed from hearing new cases. That decision, by the Judicial Council of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, is being appealed.

Other Dallas-area reporters to win 1998 Gavel Awards are Barbara Kessler of The Dallas Morning News, Becky Oliver of KDFW-TV, and Bill Zeeble of