The judge assigned to hear the contempt case against the Dallas County district attorney said Tuesday that he plans to decide by next week if the case will go forward.
District Attorney Craig Watkins is appealing to drop the contempt charge leveled against him after he refused to testify at a March 7 hearing about accusations that he filed criminal charges against a man as a favor to a powerful campaign contributor.
Watkins has denied any wrongdoing.
Wichita Falls State District Judge Bob Brotherton was assigned to hear the case.
In an email Tuesday, Brotherton said he has received motions from an attorney representing Watkins and from the special prosecutor assigned to the contempt case.
"Neither party has requested an oral hearing on the motion, so I will decide the motion after reviewing the motion and briefs," he said in the email.
If Brotherton accepts Watkins' motion to dismiss the contempt case, it would be concluded, barring any appeal of that decision by the special prosecutor.
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Dallas County State District Judge Lena Levario had ordered Watkins to testify in March about a mortgage fraud case pending against Hunt family heir Al Hill III. After Watkins refused, Levario dismissed the case against Hill and found Watkins in contempt.
