A South Texas prosecutor who brought indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and others, accusing them of abuse of prisoners in a federal prison, pounded his fist and shouted at the judge today.
The table-pounding rant by Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra alleged special treatment for high-profile defendants. That sent the routine motions hearing in a state district court in Raymondville into chaos. The prosecutor complained to Presiding Judge Manuel Banales about his handling of the case and asked him to recuse himself
While that went on, Cheney was in Shreveport for a fundraiser on behalf of 4th Congressional District candidate John Fleming, R-Minden.
Cheney arrived about 11 a.m. and went to a private home in Shreveport for the invitation-only event. He was scheduled to leave early this afternoon.
Guerra is accusing the vice president and former attorney general of culpability in the alleged abuse of prisoners in a federal detention center.
Attorneys for Cheney and the other defendants leapt to their feet in objection as Guerra pounded the table. The prosecutor accused Banales of special treatment by allowing defense motions to quash the indictments to be heard before the defendants' arraignments.
Banales called a recess to contact the chief justice of the state Supreme Court for suggestions on how to proceed. He also ordered Guerra, who had slipped out once before in the hearing, to remain in the courthouse.
Guerra said he'd refuse to obey, but when Banales implied he'd keep Guerra in court by force, the prosecutor agreed to stay.
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