Part one and two of the examination of the questionable decisions made with Judge C. T. “Rusty” Hight’s Trust and rental property undoubtedly did little to phase the allegiance of some of his lifelong friends and some of his family. People he has done favors for (and those who may need favors in the future) will surely continue to have the idea that he should be re-elected to one of the two highest courts in the county. However, with Hight having a Republican opponent with vast legal experience and an excellent reputation as an attorney, it is possible that if enough voters learn a little about Judge Hight’s past and present behavior that this the staunch unwavering Democrat will be the first 75th District Judge to face stiff competition from a Republican challenger in the last 100 years. Our effort to stay fair and balanced in presenting a few of the facts does not exclude us from hoping that voters will re-evaluate and talk to friends about this race.
Thus far in previous parts to this ongoing story, we have pointed out Judge Hight’s relationship to unnamed lawyers and a local investigator via the Hight Trust’s rental property and up to a possible $100,000 a year in court appointed work that he has discretion over. Court appointed lawyers are paid with our tax dollars of course. What other possible “quo’s” or unknown back scratching paybacks could be involved in a quid pro quo scheme? The possibilities seem endless, but one of the most obvious is how all of these other connections affect his relationship to them when he sits on the bench. Again, no doubt his buddies and his little following will try to slough everything off as campaign hubris and negative campaigning, but voters trying to decide who should wear those black robes for the next four years are not likely to turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to actual court decisions this Judge has reached that involved his “lawyers/tenants/court appointees”. In other words, if people convicted of child molestation or people that have been arrested over and over and over get a radical and unusually light sentence and they are defended by one of this group, most of us would like to know, would we not?
By nature I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. But in the future as we consider a couple of cases where Judge Hight gave one of these inexcusable sentences to a convicted criminal, people like me need to be reminded. As a lawyer, Judge Hight was not only sued for malpractice by a prominent Liberty citizen, he was caught and reprimanded for changing court documents by the Texas Judiciary. Those documents could have affected people’s lives drastically if he had not been caught. Hight also was involved in what seemed to some to be clandestine effort to use his father-in-law’s position as county chairman of the Republican Party and one of his renters to gain a monopoly on the two District Courts that reside here in Liberty County (reference here is made to local lawyer and defeated primary candidate Michelle Merendino). That effort was unsuccessful, but during that campaign, Judge Hight’s former campaign manager was caught on video in a scandal that involved stealing mail and trying to destroy District Judge Chap Cain by falsely accusing him of exceeding campaign contribution limits. This begs the question: has Judge Hight’s mission to attack other elected members of our justice system become the independent mission of some of his political allies or is he directing it?
We may never appear in the 75th District Court, but can we afford to risk that. Also we must be aware not only fellow human beings we do not know may appear in that court, but our friends and neighbors may someday appear before this Judge?
It has recently been alleged, and evidence will show, that notorious Republicans have been pushed before Hight only to have been severely mistreated and had their criminal and civil cases severely prejudiced and undermined by Hight for political and personal reasons. Who will right these wrongs?
On the other hand, stay tuned as we look at how criminals with certain court appointed lawyers may be among C. T. “Rusty” Hight’s biggest fans.
LD Contributor
20 comments:
Okay it took three parts, but yo have my attention. You have shown a money connection that concerns me but you have alleged light sentencing or letting go of serious violators of the law. Prove it and my concerns go to code red and I vote differently. Stop here and quite frankly I am unsure of what to believe.
Today was a "Wednesday Deal Day". I wonder if we cut some more loose today.
Does Klint Bush rent from Hight?While they are taking mnths to cmpare andwriting why not get a ample from him? How long will Hight allow the hanwriting anaysi to be dragged out so he can cast his bald headed shadow over his poltical enemies?
Okay it took three parts, but you have my attention. You have shown a money connection that concerns me but you have alleged light sentencing or letting go of serious violators of the law. Prove it and my concerns go to code red and I vote differently. Stop here and quite frankly I am unsure of what to believe.
If you want to report like Nessa does then look at the picture she put of Patterson and Kelley eating chili together and "enjoying" a civic event next to an article thatreports the 107 counts filed against Kelley last week. Is she helping the people of Liberty County to conclude what she believes? Here we go again!
Pretty good gig. Wish my landlord would let me mow the apartments for just a couple of thousand dollars a month. I might live hreforever if she would. I definitely would throw in a free car wash occassionally.
You must be taking a cue from reality tv. I'm bored with your mystique surrounding this whole line up of articles. I know you want the public interested in the election and you got their attention but this stay tuned, stay tuned, stay tuned mess is just too much for me. Get on with it or give it up
What you talking about here isn't just the proverbial "sweatheart deal" what Hight has done is clearly an ethics violation. I believe a complaint needs to be leveled against Hight for ethics violations and those in concert with him. It appears criminal charges could be due.
Why is there never a mention of the old crazy judge taylor? Wasnt he and rusty partners at one time? Didnt he help put a woman in jail for HIS actions?
so who are his buddies ?? if you are gonna tell the truth then air it all out.
'liberty' is known for inside deals from long ago- the judges, bankers highway patrol oil barons etc. they play with one deck of cards while the rest of the schmucks get stretched over the barrel.
its damn easy to steal with a fountain pen when you are a judge, or a cop or a crooked banker or tax assessor..wonder how much property in liberty county is taxed at too low a rate??
Kaleb Jackson in one of Hight's sentencing boys. The other judges recused themselves from the case and they tried to get Hight recused from this case as well. Albert Jackson (the other perp. in this case) was sentenced by an outside judge because all three judges were recused as these boys were up in front of these judges so much when they were juveniles. Radar is involved with these sc** bags as well through a "female" family friend (that isn't his wife). I sure don't want him as sheriff either. I also think Kaleb went through on a "Make A Deal" wed.
No, Taylor was partners with another incompetent lawyer, Gary Dennison. But Taylor used to let Hight get away with crap that other judges would not have let by. He actually allowed Hight to delay a child custody hearing for almost 2 months knowing that Hight was not telling the truth about why he could not appear in court. It took an outside lawyer (she wasn't practicing in Liberty at the time) that was a former Liberty County Assitant DA to stop the garbage and demand the father be brought into court. The child had been taken illegally from the Mother and with held from her by Hight and the father. The child to this day has severe psycological issues that stem from the two months the father had her and was abusing her.
Go ahad LD and tell us about a few of e mn cases Hight favored the criminal even after a conviction, but I don't need the information to decide who I will vote for. HihtandZbranek have for years proudly worn the Democratic crown and embraced every liberal idea of heir party that has eer come up. I expect they will trash tir opponents before eletion time, but nothing could be more damning than their own past.
Judge Taylor wans to quietly tip toe away from the courthouse before things like the Janet Harrelson case are revisited. Taylor is no wild eyed radicaL liberak Democrat like Hight or Zack, but years ago he was very practical in associating with those he knew could help him rise in power. Not very honorable, your honor!
Taylor was partners with Ed Norwood (Taylor & Norwood) before being elected Judge. Gary Dennison worked for Ed Norwood. Taylor was never partners with Rusty Hight and often referred to Hight as 'incompetent'.
The only other attorney Taylor was attached to was Mike Little, who worked for Taylor before being appointed DA. This association is the reason that Little never investigated allegations of misconduct against Taylor that surfaced in the Harrelson railroad, oops, I mean, trial.
In my divorce case Taylor came right out and admonished Dennison for thinking that their former law partnership would make up for his total incompetance. And both of my lawyers (yes it took me two different lawyers to settle my divorce because of all the political jockeying going on behind the scenes)said that they had been law partners.
Whatever judge Taylors association with Hight is or isnt, one thing is certain, he is one of the crooked good ole boys thats neck deep in corruption. I believe even the law enforcement community will have a party when he is gone.
Sorry, dude, your lawyers were misinformed. Dennison WORKED for the law firm, but was NEVER a partner with Taylor.
Why is Republican Barry Graves so far up Rusty's rear????
I agree with the last comment. Why is the "Republican" Barry Graves buddied up with an extreme liberal democrat? They are sharing campaign sign posts all over town! Is he a Rhino? I don't like to see our Republicans supporting such a leftist democrat like Hight!I think we deserve an answer before he gets our support!
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