Crime, State Judges

Judge Shot In Her Driveway, Retaliation Suspected

Was this judge shot in retaliation for a case before her?

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As mentioned in Morning Docket earlier today, Texas State District Judge Julie Kocurek was shot in her driveway on Friday night. As the details of the incident become clear, the reports paint a terrifying picture. Judge Kocurek was returning home after 10 p.m. on Friday and was in the company of others when she was shot in her driveway. No one else was injured.

Kocurek was rushed to the hospital, where her condition was initially listed as critical, before being upgraded to stable.

The Statesman is reporting that some suspect the violence is every judge’s worst nightmare — retaliation for a case before them:

Police haven’t released specific details about the shooting or Kocurek’s injuries, but law enforcement officials told the Statesman that Kocurek was likely targeted in retaliation for a case.

One wonders how long it will take before this “ripped from the headlines” incident becomes fodder for television.

The incident has shaken the legal community in Austin, where lawyers and judges have rallied around their colleague:

“She is a very strong judge,” said prosecutor Gary Cobb, the only declared candidate in next year’s race for Travis County district attorney. “She is very knowledgeable about the law, and more importantly is very fair in her treatment of everyone who comes in front of her.”

“If this was going to happen to anybody, it wouldn’t happen to her,” said retired Judge Bob Perkins. “This is totally illogical.”

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The perpetrator(s) of this crime is still at large. The Austin Police Commander is asking everyone to be in a “heightened state of awareness” until someone is apprehended.

Sources: Shooting of Judge Julie Kocurek might have been retaliation [The Statesman]
Travis County judge Julie Kocurek shot outside home, officials confirm [The Statesman]

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