Houston Chronicle
November 29, 1988
Judge won't disqualify self in Wade trial
BEAUMONT - A federal judge refused Monday to disqualify himself from the criminal case against suspended Orange County Sheriff James Wade, but did agree to continue a hearing to see if Wade will be released from jail while awaiting sentencing.
In September, a jury in Sherman found Wade guilty of nine counts of conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances and obstruction of justice. U. S. District Judge Howell Cobb has not yet sentenced Wade who faces up to 115 years in federal prison and possible fines of more than $4 million.
Wade's attorneys said Cobb should disqualify himself because he showed bias against Wade. In an in chambers because he hoped Wade wouldn't be acquitted because the judge's court clerk needed the money he would get making transcripts for an appeal.
"The chatty format of the conversation." Cobb wrote in an order haded down Monday, " would indicate o a reasonable man that the remarks were made in an jocular manner."
Cobb also said that the motion should have been filed during - not after - the trial.
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