Posted on 05/06/2020 11:20:27 AM PDT by Texas Fossil
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has called for the “immediate release” of a Dallas salon owner who was arrested and sent to jail for opening her business in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott’s stay-at-home orders.
Shelley Luther, owner of Salon A La Mode, was sentenced to seven days in jail Tuesday after Dallas judge Eric Moye said she violated those orders as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Paxton said he believes the judge is abusing his authority and that her arrest seems like a “political stunt.” In a full statement, Paxton said:
“I find it outrageous and out of touch that during this national pandemic, a judge, in a county that actually released hardened criminals for fear of contracting COVID-19, would jail a mother for operating her hair salon in an attempt to put food on her family’s table,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The trial judge did not need to lock up Shelley Luther. His order is a shameful abuse of judicial discretion, which seems like another political stunt in Dallas. He should release Ms. Luther immediately.”
The attorney general sent a letter to Moye, saying her sentencing was “significantly overbroad.” He mentioned that Abbott’s new executive order will allow her to operate business starting on Friday.
The new order that Abbott announced earlier this week allows for more businesses like salons and barber shops to reopen their doors on Friday, May 8. This comes a week after nonessential businesses like retail stores and restaurants were allowed to reopen in Texas at a 25% capacity.
Paxton said jailing Luther for seven days, which overlaps with her being able to operate her business, is “unjustifiable.”
Paxton also said Dallas County has been reducing its jail population due to concerns of COVID-19 and that releasing one more person shouldn’t be an issue.
(Excerpt) Read more at dfw.cbslocal.com ...
This must end now.
“I join the Attorney General in disagreeing with the excessive action by the Dallas Judge, putting Shelley Luther in jail for seven days. As I have made clear through prior pronouncements, jailing Texans for non-compliance with executive orders should always be the last available option. Compliance with executive orders during this pandemic is important to ensure public safety; however, surely there are less restrictive means to achieving that goal than jailing a Texas mother.”
Luther received a cease-and-desist letter last week from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins to close her salon, but she publicly ripped it up.
‘This must end now.’
but if one life is saved...
The law is an ass.
Been wondering where the good guys were on this.
Jail everyone responsible, including the Judge and possibly the Governor.
For their own protection. (They are about to really piss people off.)
...so is she free, Abbott..? or is this just the usual lip service?
It is going to be hard for the judge to enforce his charges.
I don’t know if it will happen instantly, or if it will play out in court. Losing in court could be costly to City, remember the state can penalize them.
Yes. They were waiting until end of the week. Then this idiot judge had to play the game. It will backfire.
I soooo look forward to November Elections. Understand the Judge is up for re-election.
Dallas, Houston, Austin are almost 100% Democrat officeholders.
(Judges are elected here.)
Yep. I know. But if the public was informed, not brainwashed by media, it would be different.
After this chaos, it is possible to remove them.
They have give big reasons to do it.
Excellent
Yes, we remember the arrest of Rosemary Lehmbergh...
and the resulting fraudulent political charges levied against Rick Perry.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/27/rick-perry-indictment/22427179/
What a piece of trash !
Yes. Glad they acted quickly.
Paxton and Abbott are “asking” for her release? Those morons need to send the local Texas Ranger over there and escort her out of jail.
If they won’t several thousand people need to do it for them.
A little late, must have got push-back.
Can’t Abbott pardon her effective immediately, or rescind the portion of his order allowing for arrest and jailing?
Well the judge know that the executive order changes on Friday. This is totally stupid act by the judge.
He will lose on this one.
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