Ken Paxton Is As Vile A Human Being As Exists

Texas AG Ken Paxton just sent a letter threatening the hospital where Kate Cox's OBGYN works, saying that the emergency order won't protect them from criminal charges if they give this woman *with a doomed pregnancy* an abortion https://t.co/7ghNr30Fod

— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti) December 7, 2023

In a cursory review I can’t find any indication that another DA has authority to bring a criminal action on an abortion not occurring in her/his county. If I’m right about that, Paxton is blowing smoke, because this case is in Travis County (Austin), and no DA in the major metropolitan counties (well, maybe Tarrant) is going to bring criminal charges against a doctor in this case. 

I’m not even certain this court’s ruling wouldn’t stand as a defense to such charges.

Besides, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has told Paxton, twice now, that the Texas AG doesn’t have any criminal jurisdiction, unless a DA with jurisdiction asks for his office’s help. And again, in Travis County: never gonna happen.

Ken Paxton is something you scrape off your shoe after coming in from the cow pasture.

UPDATE:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded Thursday afternoon in a letter addressed to three hospitals — Houston Methodist Hospital, The Women's Hospital of Texas in Houston, and Texans Children's Hospital in Houston — saying the temporary order would "not insulate hospitals, doctors, or anyone else, from civil and criminal liability for violating Texas’ abortion laws."

A minor emendation: Paxton directed his letter to hospitals in Houston. Again, no chance DA Kim Ogg brings criminal charges in this case.

I’m even more certain Paxton is blowing smoke. He may appeal, but I don’t see the appellate court staying the ruling with a woman’s health at stake. They might grant the appeal, but it will probably be moot before they rule, and they know that. They’re elected, too; and say what you want about electing judges, but sometimes it has its advantages.