Follow-up: Biker shootout in Waco articles

[TexasTowelie]

Visiting judge denies motion to recuse local judges in biker cases

A visiting judge Thursday denied an attempt by an attorney for nine bikers arrested in the deadly Twin Peaks shootout to remove McLennan County’s two felony court judges from presiding over the cases.

Adam Reposa, who represents nine bikers associated with the Bandidos, failed in his efforts to prove 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson and 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother are biased and should not hear the bikers’ cases.

Visiting Judge Doug Shaver, of Houston, rejected the recusal motion, but cautioned McLennan County officials at the end of the hearing to try to expedite the bond issues involving the jailed bikers as quickly as possible for the sake of the taxpayers paying for their incarcerations.

Reposa tried to base his claims of judicial bias on an incident that occurred when Strother and Johnson intervened two weeks ago after three bikers from Austin, who were booked into the jail on lesser charges, were released on bonds lower than the $1 million set for the others.

More at http://www.wacotrib.com/news/twin-peaks-biker-shooting/visiting-judge-denies-motion-to-recuse-local-judges-in-biker/article_3eff9f02-a00e-5d26-b1d7-bab63dc3f6e7.html

State commission inspects jails in wake of biker complaints

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards performed an unannounced inspection of the McLennan County Jail and adjacent Jack Harwell Detention Center after 37 online complaints were received from suspects jailed after the May 17 shootout at Twin Peaks restaurant.

The complaints alleged inadequate health care, inedible food, degrading treatment and sanitation issues. But the inspection, performed May 28, found both facilities in compliance with state standards, officials said.

“An inspector reviewed the conditions of confinement while she was there on site, and we did not find any violations of minimum jail standards,” said Brandon Wood, executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

Wood said a total of 10 inmates had 28 complaints issued on their behalf that fell within the purview of the commission to investigate. The other nine complaints were not within the commission’s jurisdiction.

Read more: http://www.wacotrib.com/news/twin-peaks-biker-shooting/state-commission-inspects-jails-in-wake-of-biker-complaints/article_309f5b44-da2e-5f9d-b881-af67da466a3f.html