Published: December 01, 2008 08:34 pm      

Murray loses pay again

By Bob Belcher

Daily Sun



Suspended Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Donna Murray has again had her pay taken away, the result of a failed appeal in one of the three proceedings she is fighting.

The ruling from the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco denied her motion to have the civil proceedings to have her removed from office dismissed and vacate an order suspending her without pay.

Murray also faces a possible criminal trial on possession of methamphetimine charges, and possible sanctions from the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct. A separate appeal filed by the state in the criminal trial is pending after a search of Murray’s vehicle was thrown out by Visiting Judge George Allen.

Murray’s legal difficulties began following her arrest in October of 2007 on charges of possession of methamphetimine. She was ordered to stay away from her Navarro County Justice Center offices by District Judge John Jackson, and ordered suspended with pay by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Visiting Judge George Allen ordered her suspended without pay in April 2008. An appeals court order in July 2008 put the civil trial on hold and reinstated Murray’s paycheck.

Larry Finstrom, Murray’s attorney, said they are appealing the order that again cut off Murray’s pay.

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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com