Hidalgo county judge found dead.

[crispini]

STATE DISTRICT JUDGE ED APARICIO FOUND DEAD
Had announced his resignation this afternoon
KRGV TV-Channel 5 is reporting that Judge Ed Aparicio of Hidalgo County's 92nd District Court was found dead this evening. Confirmation came from Weslaco police.

Aparicio announced his resignation this afternoon. In a press release he said his position on the bench was taking a toll on his personal life. The FBI investigated the judge last year but no charges were brought.

There has been much speculation in the Rio Grande Valley today that something big was about to happen at the courthouse, including potential FBI action against other judges.

From Quorum Report: http://www.quorumreport.com/

[NYC]

1. He announced his resignation in the afternoon,

and was found dead later in the afternoon???

How bizarre. If you find updates, post them. I'm going to search Google news now.

[NYC]

2. Cornyn: Violence Against Judges Understandable.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3423798#3423813

[loro mi dicevano]

3. How is THAT for conspiracy theory material!

What DeLay said about judges, and what Cornyn said about judges, you know, somebody could come up with a pretty damn good (or at least very amusing) conspiracy theory from that one.

[acmejack]

4. They have been claiming dirty deeds down there for awhile!

Hopefully, it is unrelated to Corny n's stupidity.

[acmejack]

5. Freudian keystroke!

nt

[Catherine Vincent]

6. If it was murder, Sen. Cronyn thinks it's understandable.

This guy should be impeached for his what he said!

[babylonsister]

7. As should DeBugMan for saying what he said! Or at the very

least, sent to prison!

[sonias]

8. Houston Chronicle story link

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3117810
State district judge found dead in his home

Sheriff Lupe Trevino said he and one of his captains found the body of State District Judge Ed Aparicio. They had gone to the judge's home at the request of District Attorney Rene Guerra, who had expressed concern because courthouse staff said Aparicio hadn't shown up for work.

"At this time, it's being investigated as a suicide," Weslaco police spokesman David Molina said. Molina said he wasn't aware of a suicide note being found.

Aparicio's chambers and home had been the target of an FBI search in January 2004, when an anti-corruption task force seized dozens of paintings, photos and documents. Federal prosecutors have declined to release details of the search or say what prompted it.

My family lives in Hidalgo County. I haven't a clue how serious the matter was with the FBI. I don't know him personally, but I bet he was a Democrat since this was in the Valley. My condolences to his family. Tragic to hear about anyone taking their life.

Sonia

[lostnfound]

9. Yes, he was a Democrat. nt

[lostnfound]

10. Perry will appoint a replacement. More details and link.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/ts_more.php?id=64486_0_10_0_M
....
Known as a devoted father, Aparicio’s office on the second floor of the courthouse was covered with pictures of his sons. He had taken vacation during March to spend time with his boys during their Spring Break.

Rumors that Aparicio was to resign or turn himself in to federal authorities plagued the courthouse since the FBI raided his home and courthouse office on Jan. 15, 2004. Agents left with several carts filled with paintings and personal decorative accents wrapped in brown paper. (The warrant let them take bank records and checks, fine art or collectibles, jewelry, financial documents related to money laundering, names of individuals involved in the bribery of a public official, motel receipts, frequent flier records, photos and memorabilia including sports and music events --sounds like a nice fishing expedition for blackmail material.)
....
Aparicio’s death leaves a second vacancy in the county’s district courts. The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct suspended 93rd state District Judge Rodolfo “Rudy” Delgado in February, pending the outcome of his criminal trial. He faces felony charges of evading police and misuse of official information stemming from a 2002 drunk driving arrest.

Gov. Rick Perry will appoint a replacement for Aparicio, said the judicial conduct commission’s director Seana Willing.