Former Barbee Attorney Denies ‘Special Arrangement'

Barbee's former attorney denies "special arrangement" with judge

The attorney for a Texas man sentenced to die for killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 7-year-old son says there were too many inconsistencies to believe the man's claims six years ago that he was innocent.

Fort Worth attorney William H. "Bill" Ray testified Thursday in a state court hearing to determine whether Stephen Barbee should get a new trial based on claims that Ray and the trial judge had a deal to dispose of cases quickly.

Ray denied previous testimony that he pressured Barbee to plead guilty but did suggest that the evidence made a plea deal something to consider.

Ray denied he had any "special arrangement" with Bob Gill, the judge in the 2006 trial.

The hearing before state District Judge Louis Sturns is scheduled to end Thursday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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