The Fort Worth mayor and a city council member were ordered Friday to appear at a contempt of court hearing for allegedly violating a gag order in the trial of former police officer Aaron Dean.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and City Councilman Chris Nettles both appeared briefly before Judge George Gallagher on Friday morning.
The judge ordered both to appear at a hearing on Jan. 4, 2023, though it's not immediately clear if they were to appear at the same time.
Asked about the contempt case, the city declined to comment.
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"Given the gag order and out of respect for the remaining proceedings in this case, the city will not comment until the conclusion of the punishment phase," a spokesperson said in an email.
Nettles, who represents the area of East Allen Avenue where Atatiana Jefferson was killed, has spoken out publicly several times during the trial. He had previously been sworn in as a witness in the trial. Nettles also issued a written statement following the jury's decision to convict Dean of manslaughter.
It was not immediately clear who the attorney was representing Nettles.
