Lubbock Lawyer Goes to Jail for Apparent Contempt of Court
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: June 11, 2009
A Lubbock lawyer is sent to jail this morning for what a judge called contempt of court.
Ben Webb is the defense attorney originally hired to represent Donald Ray Johnson. Johnson, you'll remember, was found guilty this week of burglary and aggravated assault of a peace officer. He was sentenced to 40 years in jail. But Webb withdrew from the case earlier this year, after Mr. Johnson bailed out of jail. And since then, Johnson apparently missed a court date.
So, Lubbock District Attorneys called Webb to testify against his former client, but Webb refused, citing attorney-client privilege.
Judge Jim Bob Darnell then sent Webb to jail for contempt of court.
Rod Hobson, Attorney alongside Ben Webb: "We're anticipating this matter will be set for a hearing, a contempt hearing. In which we'll be able to present evidence and call witnesses ourselves."
Hobson says having Webb called as a witness wasn't necessary, because prosecutors had other ways to get the information they were seeking.
Tonight Judge Darnell, and Lubbock district attorneys chose not to comment on the situation.
