CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The visiting judge overseeing the case to remove Nueces County District Attorney Mark Gonzalez all but issued a gag order in the case on Monday.
Judge David Peeples told attorneys to stop talking about the case or he will request a change of venue. That would move the case out of Nueces County.
County Attorney Jenny Dorsey is part of a lawsuit to oust Gonzalez, accusing him of incompetence and misconduct. Gonzalez has said the charges are baseless and politically motivated.
Dorsey on Monday complained to the judge that Gonzalez's attorney Chris Gale spoke to the media about the case. Gale said that Dorsey was talking about it openly at her rotary club meeting. That back and forth seemed to irritate Judge Peeples.
"Want me to change venue?" Peeples asked. "Keep doing what you're doing. Keep it up. Any questions about what I just said?"
Both Dorsey and Gale responded, "No sir."
Before that occurred, Judge Peeples asked both sides for more information in the case and narrowed down that request for Dorsey. He also said he had not yet read a new motion from the defense to dismiss the case.
If it moves forward, Dorsey could potentially depose and question the DA's past and current prosecutors. Gale likened that to a "fishing expedition" just to try to find something on Gonzalez.
Gonzalez's attorney still not set as Commissioners set to meet Wednesday
It's still not clear how much longer Gale will represent Gonzalez.
Nueces County Commissioners told Gonzalez that if they pay for his attorney, they want to choose that attorney. They had him submit a list of three names but have not yet selected their choice.
One commissioner told 3NEWS last week they would not do that prior to Wednesday's Commissioners Court meeting.