The impeachment trial of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton resumed on Wednesday with the testimony of former First Assistant Jeff Mateer. Before testimony of Mateer began, Paxton’s defense team withdrew its objection to privileged communications.
Day Two of the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr. began with Paxton’s defense team withdrawing their assertion of attorney-client privilege. Paxton’s team withdrew objections and the motion about the privilege made during the first day of the trial.
One of Paxton’s lawyers, Tony Buzbee, told the Trial President, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, that the defense was withdrawing their assertion based on the privilege because “Attorney General Kenneth Paxton has nothing to hide.” He added that the team withdrew the objection to “save all of us some time” but warned that while the defense team withdrew the assertion of privilege, they would be “focused on hearsay.” Busbee said the defense was also withdrawing a written motion they filed last night.
House impeachment managers’ attorney Rusty Hardin began questioning Mateer on various meetings and discussions with then-Attorney General Paxton.
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Witness for the impeachment House Managers, Paxton’s former first assistant testified that he resigned. “I concluded that Mr. Paxton was engaged in conduct that was immoral, unethical, and I had the good faith belief it was illegal.”
Mateer responded to a House “prosecution” question, saying he has not filed a lawsuit against the suspended AG.
On cross-examination by Tony Busbee, Mateer said that at one point, he believed General Paxton was being blackmailed. He also testified that he asked Paxton if he was under any “undue influence.” Paxton answered, “No.” Mateer added, “But his actions did not reveal that.” For example, he cited Paxton’s allegedly moving a “woman” from San Antonio, referring to an extramarital affair, and Paxton’s “unusual actions.”
Videos of Day One of the impeachment trial can be found on The Texas Senate website. The Texas State Senate – Senate Video Archives
The Articles of Impeachment, the Rules of Procedure for the Court of Impeachment, witnesses list, motions filed by the House Board of Managers and Paxton’s defense, exhibits and other potential evidence are posted by the Texas Senate on its Senate Court of Impeachment website.
Lana Shadwick is a writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. She is a trial lawyer who served as a Texas prosecutor and family court associate judge.
Bob Price is the Breitbart Texas-Border team’s associate editor and senior news contributor. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.