texas

Commission Reprimands Conroe Judge Over Sex Offender Program

A state judicial conduct commission has publicly reprimanded a Southeast Texas judge who is the sole overseer of Texas' troubled civil commitment program for violent sex predators.

The Commission on Judicial Conduct made its ruling public Friday after looking into complaints that state District Judge Michael Seiler of Conroe allegedly made comments outside the courtroom that showed a personal bias and prejudice against sexually violent offenders.

Additional judicial training also is ordered for Seiler, who's also accused of berating and belittling attorneys for sex offenders and openly criticizing a witness.

Seiler attorney Tom Watkins said his client plans to appeal. He called the reprimand unfair and rejected claims made against the Montgomery County judge.

The allegations have led to Seiler's removal from more than a dozen civil-commitment cases since October.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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