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It is a good thing that the hookers that work out of Keller's Hamburgers are not on the same astringent time schedule as the Lady Killer/Keller because they can get a lot of biz done after 5pm.

As far as her having a great personality, I understand that Jeffrey Dahmer's father said the same about him.

Comment by Jack Jett — January 16, 2008 @ 05:37PM

Keller followed the law. What more do you want from a judge? The Supreme court could have issued their own stay if they felt it was that important - so why didn't they?

I think that is why it is called a "deadline"...

There was a duly imposed sentence that was obligated to be carried out - There are an adequate number of courts and judges to intervene on behalf of justice. A delay is grossly unfair to the victim's family.

Here's a thought - If people don't like being executed, then don't commit capital crimes.

Comment by wick olson — January 16, 2008 @ 06:38PM

>> The Supreme court could have issued their own stay if they felt it was that important - so why didn't they?

If you read the entire article, Matt Pulle answers that very question. As I understand it, the Supreme Court probably would have, even if the State court rejected the stay, but since the lawyers couldn't get a response from the State court (i.e. "We close at 5 PM") -- the Supreme Court had to pass on the matter.

Comment by David Hopkins — January 17, 2008 @ 10:32AM

A guy breaks into a woman's home, shoots her in the head with a .25 pistol, while she's still in bed, kills her, steals her truck......and you think he deserves a break? You are a joke! He should have been put to death 20 years ago.

Comment by phil — January 17, 2008 @ 11:08AM

Well, I think her closing time decision coupled with her odd logic on the Roy Criner case, the innocent man she kept locked up behind bars for an extra two years, is why she's now on the hot seat.

Comment by Matt — January 17, 2008 @ 11:36AM

Yeah, this guy deserved what he got.

From what I understand, everyone (his lawyers) knew the court closed at 5pm. They had some computer problems? Well, its like my old college professors used to say "maybe you should have started earlier, or had better equipment". I used to have a professor that closed the door to his classroom at 8am sharp. Once it was closed, that was it. I remember people crying because they were gong to get zeros on tests and projects because they were late. Traffic? too bad. Computer problems? too bad.

I don't feel sorry for this guy at all.

Comment by Copdizzle — January 17, 2008 @ 11:48AM

It is interesting in a nation so often mouthing platitudes toward 'law and order' that even a judge dedicated to the administration of justice is subject to attack for upholding the law she rules, rather then espousing the lawlessness that rules the nation. Might I add that in such a renegade climate that the fundamental basis for the authority to establish laws, the US Constitution, is relegated to be used as official toilet paper.

The 'right to life', that is what you are arguing here, because the condemned man has already been convicted by a jury of his peers, and sentenced to death. I sure don't think you want to cop 'rule of law' as a plea considering that tens of millions of unborn children were put to death in this republic with no appeal or hearing or HOPE of a stay of execution? Did you think that releasing a rapist murderer back to society would ease your conscience a little or appease the wrath of a just and angry god?

The 'right to a fair and speedy trial' to guarantee swift redress for the innocent and equally awesome dread for the guilty. The two convicts in Truman Capotes "In Cold Blood" (a true story) commited a murder, were tried, sentenced and hung in less than a years time. (circa 1950's, that was typical) They were hung by the neck until dead. Their victims were hung and tortured, humiliated, cruelly slaughtered and tormented to the moment death freed them. In which case was justice served? Offended because I called them convicts? They were just released on parole days before committing the crime for which they were c o n v i c t e d, and H U N G. What is convicting you? That you complain because a murderer isn't set free but have nothing to say while people 'legally' assassinate their progeny. The 'right to life', in a law abiding (living) nation.

And what of the victims family, where was their 'speedy justice': A syringe on a tortoise, special delivery snail mail, mail train don't run here any more. How long have they walked a 'green mile' waiting to hear that the blood of their mother, crying out to them and god from the ground, had been answered in blood. Want to tell ME that it is not the christian thing to do? Tell god, we will all give account to him soon enough. Or are you too good to live by his laws? We don't believe in capital punishment, we allow murderers to run free, here where we are all free to be murderers. You might want to wipe the blood off your face before you answer him, because he, christ, says if you have hated your brother (or sister judge), you have already committed murder.

In Austraila, before THEY became enlightened, death by hanging was administered by the clergy. That beyond doubt was the correct formula. All laws are moral, or they are meaningless. Achan and his family died because he stole a kruegerrand and a bolt of calico, from his nations enemies. Stoned and burnt with all their possesions in a heap. Don't become over confidant because of the rainbow: when water is seperated at the atomic level and ignited, it is fire. Selah, (think about it).

Heavy dues in that court as Lenny Bruce (perhaps He is your God, if not You), used to say.

Heavy dues. Eternal court. Perfect justice.

JR Richmond, Cherry Valley, California

Comment by JR Richmond — January 17, 2008 @ 02:14PM

For all the abuse heaped on the judge (and I refuse to offer any defense on the behalf of a lawyer anywhere) I will not lose sight of the fact that:
1) Capital Punishment is legal in Texas
2) The supposed retarded killer had the where-with-all to ask probing questions, leave the residence and then return after potential witnesses had left the home, freeing him to commit murder unseen except by the victim.
3) There is no doubt whatsoever that man who killed and the man executed are one in the same.
4) The killer was allowed to live for 20 years after his conviction!!!

So another costly appeal was avoided. An appeal that would have not changed the eventual outcome of the case. So what.
Fact is, the family of the victim had been jerked around long enough. At least the judge's keen sense of time brought an end to their waiting game.

Comment by KPR — January 17, 2008 @ 08:09PM

I would like to just point out to the obviously stoned minds behind some of the comments, that even if we accept as true that the death penalty is legal in Texas and that judge was just following the law, it is also true that a fundamental part of that same law and process is the access to the Courts. Please DO take your medicines before commenting... No! Not the blue pills! Those are for the other problem...

Comment by ACSI — January 18, 2008 @ 08:04AM

Its cruel and unusual not promptly execute capital criminals. We should not offer them a false sense of hope that they might somehow get out and lead a normal life. Rather we should let them embrace death, just as they dividied it out.

Episodes like this just affirm that in the end they will die. It's not fair to the convicted for them to have a belief that some glitch in the system will save them. Rather we must ensure the act is expeditious, timely and punctual. That way the convicted can schedule their remaining days accordingly.

We can all rejoice in the fact that the criminal is now in a better place and surely more happy.

Comment by wick olson — January 18, 2008 @ 07:25PM

Sharon Keller is known as "Sharon Killer" in the judicial world. Keller is one judge who said that "DNA does not prove a person innocent but 12 jurors do". Not that 12 jurors are ever made up of the defendant "peers" list or are infallable, she again just threw out words that prove even further she is incapable of being a fair judge with no interest in scientific evidence. She is the reason the CCA in Texas is the laughing joke across the world. Perhaps if her relatives were inside a prison and innocent she may really take an interest and try to correct this joke of a system we have in Texas. She had a good example to look up too with a Governor who ignored proof of innocence of people on death row and chose to kill the inmates on death row at a record rate, and his IQ has to be lower than most of those inmates according to his many statements to America. That Governor went on to be President and caused his country to go to war for no reason and to lead us into a recession, again. All he needed to do was sell popcorn and put the executions on TV to really show his true colors and lack of education. It is time to get rid of morons like Keller and stop elections of illiterate governors controlled like puppets. We need real honest and brave people in our state leading us to victory with compassion. We need Texas to be a state that is respected and looked up too. Keller has to go and I suggest we get about 50,000 people on a petition to get the right people' attention that we will no longer accept this from the likes of Ms Keller.

Comment by Darlie — January 20, 2008 @ 08:53PM

i agree with darlie we need competent people who care about what is going on in Texas. Too many innocent people are dying at the hands of incompetent judges and attorneys. Instead of getting a vote or scoring points with the judicial system they need to be looking at the reality of life and death and not self gratification. Sharon Keller should be held responsible for what has been done and that is taking a life and let the ones who are innocent come home to their family. That might change her view on things when she is on the on the other side of the iron fence.

Comment by andrea — January 20, 2008 @ 09:14PM

No one is arguing that Richard was not guilty. He goes and kills these kids mom with foreknowledge. He has had all the benefit of review through the years, and he presumably has competent lawyers.

So, the argument is not that he is not as guilty now as he was then, but that "we may be able to get a stay of execution on a technicality"

The guy should not still be alive 20 years later, that is the true travesty here. Not the judge.

However, the author has written 5 pages mainly about the outrage amongst her peers. Who cares?

This article is smoke and mirrors hit piece against the judge, the Dallas Observer editors/owners must not like her.

Typical lefty whining main stream media.

Comment by TR — January 22, 2008 @ 03:34AM

So the poor Defendant got to live 20 years in relative comfort compared to where the victim spent the same 20 years. After that time it is certainly safe to CONCLUDE, not assume, that all meritorious appeals had been exhausted. With a background in law and medicine I know that the drug cocktail used for executions is essentially painless but as with everything else there can be exceptions. Quit excoriating a judge who followed the letter of the law which resulted in the removal of another piece of human excrement from the rolls of the living.

How about some feeling for the victim and her family. After all, she didn't want to become Richards' victim but it is now de riguer PC, just ask Sarandon, Penn, Robbins, etc, to become active lamenting the poor criminal's plight instead of condemning his predicate act which put his head on the block in the first place.

Give me a break, he got exactly what he deserved, no more but probably a hell of a lot less than he truly merited. Don't want to sacrifice your own life? Then don't take the life of another without just cause.

Whine on liberals and bleeding hearts, Whine on.

DW Clark

Comment by David Clark — January 22, 2008 @ 12:11PM

This scumbag got what he deserved, only 20 years too late. Hooray for Judge Keller!!!

Comment by Hugh Clark — January 22, 2008 @ 04:06PM

I guess I'm not surprised that some very extreme law and order types don't believe a whole lot in due process but I thought even that crowd would distance themselves from a judge who doesn't understand DNA evidence.

Comment by Matt — January 23, 2008 @ 10:38AM

Its always the same from the anti death penalty people - Focus on some bizarre technicality on how the penalty is applied and assert it as the all encompassing reason for not executing criminals.

They think their argument should be so universally embraced that they can be sloppy in their approach to fight it. It is a simple fact that if this attorney had written and submitted a timely appeal this would not have happened. Keller simply did her job to the letter of the law. The defendant's attorney did not. End of story, End of the line for a criminal.

Comment by wick olson — January 23, 2008 @ 10:37PM

So the man in prison confesses, survived twenty years in jail, his lawyers now claim he is retarded and they can't make it to the judges before the office closes? What happens to the rest of us if we show up late for jury duty, a ticket, or a trial. Sorry lawyers, but maybe if you had not sucked up tax money for twenty years before a last cram, I'd have more sympathy for you.

Comment by Happy Dude — January 24, 2008 @ 12:47PM

Did Mrs. Dixon get a ten minute break to file an appeal with Mr. Richard?
If he was too mentally challenged to be held fully accountable to the law, why was he allowed a driver license?

Comment by R K — February 13, 2008 @ 09:48PM

Blame Keller?????? Are you all insane??!! They should've fried his @$$ 19 years ago. Wait, they shuld've let her kids fry him or better yet when he found out he was getting the death penatly years ago he should've manned up and taken his own life and saved the taxpayers thousands of dallars housing his sorry @$$!

Shame on the public for blaming keller! What if it was your mom or loved one Richards killed. I say as soon as you are found guilty - HANG EM!

Comment by Tina — April 2, 2008 @ 10:31AM