Midland lawyer surrenders license after capital murder trial botch
Former Midland County Assistant District Attorney Ralph Petty has surrendered his law license after an order from the Texas Supreme Court because of professional misconduct during the Clinton Young capital murder trial.
According to an order from the Texas Supreme Court on April 13, Petty’s bar card was canceled, and he is now prohibited from practicing law in the state of Texas. Petty surrendered his license in lieu of further disciplinary action, the order states.
Petty is at the center of an appeal case for Young, who was convicted for the murders of Doyle Douglas, 41, and Samuel Petrey, 52, in 2003 for the use of their vehicles during a 48-hour crime spree. Young has been on death row since his conviction, but his lawyers have argued that his right to due process was violated.
While working on Young’s prosecution, Petty also moonlighted as a judicial clerk for the same trial. This created conflicting roles and gave Petty access to confidential information for the defense, according to an opinion from the Midland County 385th District Court recommending a new trial.
Read more: https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/Midland-lawyer-surrenders-license-after-capital-16302120.php
(Midland Reporter-Telegram)