'Pro-Plaintiff' Texas Judge Excuses Himself from Bench

CAMERON, Texas - A state court judge in Texas has recused himself from presiding over several dozen asbestos cases after defendants accused him of making it impossible for them to receive a fair trial in lawsuits filed in his jurisdiction. Lehmann, et al. v. Able Supply Co., et al., No. 26342-A (Texas Dist. Ct., Milam Cty.).

Judge Charles T. Lance of the Milam County District Court granted a defense motion that sought to have him disqualified from hearing such trials. Defendants in some 40 lawsuits filed in Milan County alleged that Lance, on several occasions, exhibited "ridiculous" pro-plaintiff tendencies that …