NYT Logs in on Judge Keller. Again.

Judge Sharon Keller is the presiding judge of Texas' highest criminal court of criminal appeals. She is the one who refused to keep her office open after 5 PM the day a man was scheduled for execution (as is common practice - to keep that office open late for last minute appeals). The execution took place and all hell has broken loose since then for Judge Keller. The NYT has an article about her colleagues opinions of her. I'm sort of sputtering here in astonishment trying to remember that I re-learn everyday that nothing should surprise me. Actual quotes and comments about the marvelous personal qualities of Judge Keller:

“Sharon is a hard worker.” “She never complains, never explains.” Friends say she is witty and well read, an engaging conversationalist in one-on-one encounters over cocktails, but the quietest one at the table at weekly card games with fellow alumni of Rice University. People also say they admire how Judge Keller has raised her son as a single mother and how close she is with her extended family, which financed the bulk of her campaign to join the court.

These sound like excellent qualities in a best friend, or sister-in-law or especially in an administrative assistant. But, in the person who has the sole responsibility of considering last minute appeals of people the State is about to execute, not so much. In her own words, this is how Keller explains what happened that evening:

“I got a phone call shortly before 5 and was told the defendant had asked us to stay open,” she said. “They did not tell us they had computer failure. And given the late request, and with no reason given, I just said, ‘We close at 5.’ I didn’t really think of it as a decision so much as a statement.”

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has charged her with incompetence, violating her duties and casting public discredit on the judiciary. Maybe they can give her a certificate for being a great mom and card player, though. It seems she's deserving of at least that.