Live updates: Trial of Johnson County Sheriff Adam King moves into second day
The trial of Johnson County Sheriff Adam King resumed Wednesday morning with more testimony from the former chief deputy against whom King is accused of retaliating in a sexual harassment investigation last year.
James Saulter testified for hours Tuesday, speaking on how he came to report King’s alleged sexual harassment of employee Anna Goodloe, and the day that King placed him on administrative leave during that investigation.
Saulter described reporting King as the hardest thing he’s ever done. The case, he said, has been an immense stressor and has caused him to lose over 50 pounds and be unable to sleep.
Defense attorneys for King continued their cross-examination at 9 a.m. Wednesday, opening with further examination of an AI-generated photograph of Saulter pulled from his Facebook page. The image was admitted to evidence Tuesday afternoon and was subject of a couple of hours’ worth of questioning.
The Star-Telegram will provide live updates Wednesday throughout the proceedings.
11:45 a.m.: Court recesses for lunch
James Saulter’s testimony has concluded. The court has recessed for lunch, and testimony will resume at 1:15 p.m..
11 a.m. Defense questioning Saulter’s relationship with Texas Ranger
Defense attorney Mark Daniel produced text messages between Saulter and Texas Ranger Patrick Garcia, who handled the investigation into King’s alleged misconduct.
The text messages show that on the day the grand jury met to consider King’s indictment, Saulter texted Garcia, who was in the room with the grand jury, to ask how things were going. Daniel alleged that the question amounts to a violation of grand jury secrecy rules.
Daniel also quizzed Saulter on his personal relationship with Garcia’s family, but the exchange was disregarded after an objection from prosecutors. Daniel and Saulter are still reviewing the text messages on the stand, now from the time period after King was indicted.
The judge again admonished King’s attorneys for repeated sidebars.
9:30 a.m. Judge denies mistrial; more evidence admitted
Defense attorney Mark Daniel moved for a mistrial Wednesday morning after the prosecution made several objections to his line of questioning about the work situation of Anna Goodloe.
Judge John Wilson Weeks swiftly denied the mistrial and allowed Daniel’s questioning to continue, warning him about repeated sidebar remarks.
The questions then shifted to disciplinary procedures within the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Daniel offered into evidence sections of the Sheriff’s Office’s general orders manual, which serves as the official policies and procedures of the law enforcement agency.
The sections admitted included those on the handling of both internal and external investigations.
This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 10:10 AM.
