Hockley County Sheriff Removed from Office
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: August 13, 2009
In Hockley County, there's a new sheriff in town after David Kinney is removed from office. A petition, filed this afternoon, claims Kinney is incompetent and has been operating under misconduct.
It's been a month since the highly scrutinized arrest of two men on Sheriff Kinney's team, but it appears there's more to it that's prompted Hockley and Lubbock County officials to sign the petition and get him out of office immediately.
The arrests on July 10th in Levelland appear to be the breaking point in confidence with Sheriff David Kinney. This afternoon, just before 5 o-clock, Kinney was served with his temporary suspension from office.
Hockley County Attorney Christopher Dennis says under Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code, an elected official can be removed for misconduct or incompetence. According to documents filed in the petition, David Kinney is involved with both. Misuse of official information, improper hirings, even abuse of his position as Sheriff. After meeting with Lubbock County Judge Blair Cherry -- who's been assigned to the case -- there proved to be enough evidence to move ahead with getting Kinney out of office.
The suit is a civil suit, so Kinney faces no criminal charges. Kevin Davis, with Hockley County District Attorney's office, has been appointed to act as Sheriff during the litigation.
A hearing has been set for August 24th at 2 p.m. in Levelland.
We'll of course be there to bring you the latest, later this month.
