Paxton gets a new judge; Gallagher gets a break

Judge George Gallagher‘s removal from the trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton may be a blessing in disguise.

Paxton has been the state’s top attorney for 2 1/2 years.

He’s been under indictment in connection with securities fraud charges for almost two of them.

Gallagher is the Republican judge in Tarrant County who ordered a venue change to Harris County, accepting the argument of prosecutors that Paxton and his allies had tainted the jury pool.

The judge was right to do so. He has presided over a very challenging and politically charged case with patience and fairness. He deserves recognition for it.

The Dallas-based 5th Court of Appeals determined Gallagher had lost jurisdiction over the case on a legal technicality connected to the venue change.

Last week, the state Court of Criminal Appeals let that decision stand.

On Tuesday, District Judge Robert Johnson of Harris County was randomly assigned to the case.

He’s the Democrat who unseated Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s son last year.

What’s that they say about karma?

This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Paxton gets a new judge; Gallagher gets a break."