Discovery and Transcript
Discovery and Transcript
416-00049-2020
RYAN GALLAGHER §
IN DISTRICT COURT
§
v.
§
416TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
§
COLLIN COUNTY, et al
§
COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS
I motion for discovery in this case to obtain necessary documents to prove fats in this case.
Here is a fairly detailed list of the Records that I am talking about, which Bob Davis continues to
lie about. I was able to make this list because Bob Davis did actually provide me the Records at
one point and created this list at that time, but I have since become Homeless (for 3 years now)
and no longer have a Copy of them and he refuses to send them to me in a PDF, and any time I
Open Records Request the County for them, the simply refer the Open Records Request to Bob
Davis, so I would like him to prove that I have ever once requested to use Marijuana during the
time of my Incarceration:
Request # 37595, I asked to be allowed to attend Religious Services, and they said I could go
to the Christian ones (even though I am not Christian) and I was ok with that.
Request # 42101, I was told by the Christian Priest that I was not allowed to attend Bible study
because I was not Christian, and I spoke with the Programs director, Jamie Taylor, in person
and she apologized and said that I could go to the Christian services.
Request # 42121, I point out that the Supreme Court has said that a Jail may have to incur
expenses to accommodate Religion, as I was told I couldn't go to Christian services, and that
they didn't have Hindu Religious texts, etc.
Request # 43154, I respond to the Program Director's Apology, as it came after the original
request was sent
Request # 44481, I tell them how they can get other Hindus printed versions of the Rig Veda,
so that they never have to tell anyone "We don't have your text" ever again (advice I am sure
they ignored)
Request # 44803, I make the Staff aware that I will be spreading my faith, and having my own
Religious services, and bringing my Holy Book with my everywhere, no different than the
Christians.
Request # 46056, I am told I can no longer bring my Religious Text with me places, and am told
I can only bring books approved by the Programs Director
Request # 46146, I am kicked out of the Inmate Worker Program because of my Religion, even
after getting approval from the Program's director in person to bring my Religious text, and
Christians were never not allowed during this whole time.
S/_Ryan_Gallagher___
Rev. Ryan “Sasha” Gallagher
[email protected]
1723 Candleglow
Castle Rock, Co 80109
EXHIBIT
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 1 of 32 PageID #: 1
SUZANNE H. WOOTEN §
§
Plaintiff, §
§
vs. § CIVIL ACTION NO. ________
§
JOHN ROACH, SR., CHRISTOPHER MILNER§
COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS, GREGORY §
ABBOTT, AND HARRY EUGENE WHITE §
§
Defendants. §
“Plaintiff”), who brings this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1343,
and the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, to vindicate her right
to be free from wrongful arrest and prosecution, and files this, her Original Complaint, complaining
of and about John Roach, Sr., Christopher Milner, Collin County, Texas, Gregory Abbott, and
Harry White (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Defendants”), and for cause of action would
INTRODUCTION
Activity, Money Laundering, and Tampering with a Governmental Record, based on false and
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |1
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 2 of 32 PageID #: 2
2. Defendants John Roach, Sr., Christopher Milner, Collin County, Texas, Gregory
Abbott, and Harry White conspired to wrongfully obtain an indictment and prosecute Plaintiff by
inventing and perverting law, misleading judges and juries, and taking apart Plaintiff’s life and
3. Beyond the fact Plaintiff did not engage in the conduct alleged by Defendants,
Defendants knew full well the law did not proscribe any of the alleged conduct. In an attempt to
ensure that Plaintiff was convicted despite her innocence, and knowing she committed no
criminal act, Defendants intentionally misrepresented the law and facts and secured a wrongful
conviction of Plaintiff.
4. Plaintiff was forced to step down from her judicial position, her license to practice
law was suspended for 10 years by the State Bar of Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals
(compulsory action due to convictions), and her reputation and career were devastated. All for
the sake of political retribution for defeating the incumbent judicial candidate who preceded
Plaintiff on the bench, and for not playing ball with the powers that be.
5. Ultimately, the criminal case against Plaintiff fell apart when her alleged co-
conspirators were held by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to be actually innocent and that
there was no evidence of any wrongdoing. On May 24, 2017, after spending five and a half years
Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. As noted in the Order granting the Writ of
Actual Innocence, Plaintiff’s civil rights have been violated. Plaintiff now sues to recover for the
harm done to her by the corrupt government agents who targeted her unjustly.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |2
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 3 of 32 PageID #: 3
I.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
6. Venue is proper in the Sherman Division, Eastern District of Texas as all actions
7. Subject matter jurisdiction for this cause rests with this Honorable Court as the
case involves violations of the United States Constitution and other federal law.
governmental entity and therefore resides in Texas and/or transacts business in the State of
Texas, such that this Court’s exercise of personal jurisdiction over the Defendant is consistent
Christopher Milner, Gregory Abbott, and Harry White because they reside in Texas and/or
transact business in the State of Texas, such that this Court’s exercise of personal jurisdiction
over the Defendants is consistent with all applicable statutory requirements and constitutional
guarantees.
II.
PARTIES AND SERVICE
10. Plaintiff, Suzanne H. Wooten, is a resident of Collin County, Texas and the
former presiding judge for the 380th Judicial District Court in Collin County, Texas. Judge
11. Defendant Collin County is a political subdivision of the State of Texas. Collin
County can be served through its County Administrator Bill Bilyeu, Collin County
Administration Building, 2300 Bloomdale Rd., Suite 4192, McKinney, Texas 75071.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |3
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 4 of 32 PageID #: 4
12. Defendant, John Roach, Sr., (in his individual capacity and individually referred to
as “Defendant Roach”), was the District Attorney of Collin County during the relevant period for
this lawsuit. Defendant Roach has been sued individually for his actions undertaken while in the
course and scope of his employment as the District Attorney for Collin County and while acting
under the color of state law. Defendant Roach may be served through the Collin County
Administrator Bill Bilyeu, Collin County Administration Building, 2300 Bloomdale Rd., Suite
13. Defendant, Christopher Milner (in his individual capacity and individually referred
to as “Defendant Milner”), was an Assistant District Attorney in the Collin County District
Attorney’s Office during the relevant period for this lawsuit. Defendant Milner has been sued
individually for his actions undertaken while in the course and scope of his employment with the
Collin County District Attorney’s Office and while acting under the color of state law. Defendant
14. Defendant, Gregory Abbott, (in his individual capacity and individually referred
to as “Defendant Abbott”), served as Attorney General for the State of Texas during the relevant
period for this lawsuit. Defendant Abbott has been sued individually for his actions undertaken
while in the course and scope of his employment with the State of Texas and while acting under
the color of state law. Defendant Abbott may be served at Office of the Governor, State
15. Defendant, Harry White (in his individual capacity and individually referred to as
“Defendant White”), was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas during the
relevant period for this lawsuit. Defendant White has been sued individually for his actions
undertaken while in the course and scope of his employment with the Office of the Attorney
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |4
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 5 of 32 PageID #: 5
General for the State of Texas and the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, and while acting
under the color of state law. Defendant White may be served at 1000 8th Ave # 200, Fort Worth,
Texas 76104.
III.
FACTS
16. On March 4, 2008, Plaintiff, Suzanne Wooten, defeated the incumbent Judge
Charles Sandoval in the Republican primary election for the 380th District Court Judge in Collin
County, Texas. In the history of Collin County, Texas, an incumbent district judge had not been
17. The following day, Judge Sandoval went to the Collin County District Attorney’s
Office (CCDAO) to complain about Judge Wooten. Judge Sandoval felt there was no way Judge
Wooten could have won the Republican primary election without cheating, insinuating to the
18. The CCDAO decided to conduct its own investigation into Judge Wooten’s
19. Law enforcement did not initiate this investigation, nor did law enforcement aid
in this investigation. This investigation originated and was subsequently conducted by the
CCDAO and, later, by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) acting in conjunction with the
CCDAO. The investigation lasted over two years before Judge Wooten was initially indicted on
October 14, 2010. Another nine months went by before the final indictment against Judge
20. This case involved three other co-defendants. Two of the co-defendants were a
married couple named David Frederick Cary and Stacy Stine Cary (Collectively “the Carys”).
The third co-defendant was James Stephen Spencer (Spencer), a consultant who assisted the
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |5
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 6 of 32 PageID #: 6
Carys with other matters and was employed by Judge Wooten as her media consultant during her
judicial campaign. Each of the indictments for the Carys and Judge Wooten are substantially
identical as the allegations track the same statutory language and same alleged scheme of
conduct.
21. The CCDAO and the OAG moved forward with a prosecution of Judge Wooten
knowing there was no probable cause and that a crime had not been committed. The theory of
prosecution was that the Carys gave itemized monetary contributions to Judge Wooten, through
Judge Wooten’s media consultant, Spencer, in exchange for Judge Wooten’s decision to proceed
with a campaign to unseat the incumbent judge of the 380th Judicial District Court. The problem
with this theory of prosecution is that, even if true, these actions would not be illegal – and the
CCDAO and OAG knew that these actions were not illegal when they moved forward with the
prosecution.
22. The CCDAO had ulterior malicious political motivations for prosecuting Judge
Wooten. The CCDAO wanted Judge Wooten off the bench because the CCDAO disagreed with
Judge Wooten’s rulings in criminal cases. This motivation is evident from a myriad of evidence
including, a CCDAO internal email and the redaction of incriminating statements before
witnesses, destruction of evidence, and the clear misuse and abuse of the grand jury process.
Additionally, it was widely known in the legal community that the CCDAO had a Special
Crimes Division headed by Defendant Milner who used heavy-handed tactics and strategies to
investigate, intimidate and often indict those who were his enemies. As detailed below,
numerous lawyers, elected officials and courthouse staffers were target by CCDAO during the
two terms former District Attorney Roach ran the CCDAO and employed Defendant Milner.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |6
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 7 of 32 PageID #: 7
The OAG knowingly aided the CCDAO in accomplishing their goals by way of prosecuting
23. After Judge Wooten was unconstitutionally convicted at trial, she was exonerated
through the granting of her 11.072 Writ of Habeas Corpus Declaring Actual Innocence as a
Matter of Law with the 366th Judicial District Court in Collin County, Texas on May 24, 2017,
with the convictions deemed void ab initio by the District Court. The Court relied upon the
Court of Criminal Appeals rulings in Stacy Stine Cary v. State, 507 S.W.3d 750 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2016) and in David Cary v. State, 507 S.W.3d 761 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016), that the
allegations in the indictments, even if true, were not crimes under Texas law as a matter of law.
Wooten was forced out of her position as judge of the 380th Judicial District Court, exactly as the
25. This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the United States
26. At the time of the CCDAO’s and the OAG’s investigation and prosecution of
27. In December of 2008, CCDAO Chief of Special Crimes Unit Chris Milner
requested the assistance of the Criminal Prosecution Division of the Office of the Attorney
General of Texas.in investigating a case against Judge Wooten. According to Defendant White,
Defendant Milner requested Defendant White because Defendant Milner had experience working
with Defendant White on previous occasions and that Defendant White had “expertise”
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |7
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 8 of 32 PageID #: 8
prosecuting election violations. Defendant Abbott, the OAG, allowed his office and staff,
including Defendant White, to assist the CCDAO in the investigation into Judge Wooten.
28. The OAG had additional/greater resources for the CCDAO and was able to
provide Attorney General Auditor Kyle Swihart along with Defendant White. Defendant White
would be assisting the CCDAO as a Special Assistant District Attorney, while the CCDAO
confirmed that he became involved in the investigation of Judge Wooten in December of 2008
and stated to the FBI that he did not know why the CCDAO did not recuse themselves at the
beginning of the Judge Wooten investigation. Defendant White misrepresented to the FBI that he
had been appointed the Attorney Pro Tem in February of 2010. Further, Defendant White
informed the FBI that CCDAO thought that once Greg Willis was elected Collin County District
Attorney, the “Wooten investigation would be discontinued if not transferred to the AG’s
office”. It will become clear that the CCDAO wanted to maintain control over the malicious
investigation and prosecution of Judge Wooten under the guise of the OAG leading the charge.
30. In late-July of 2010, 8 days after Defendant White’s meeting with the FBI,
Defendant Milner and Defendant Roach requested that the Office of the Attorney General and its
designee (Defendant White) become the Attorney Pro Tem for the Judge Wooten investigation.
The Order of Recusal and Appointing Attorney Pro Tem signed by Judge Mark Rusch on July
22, 2010 included a provision that the CCDAO may “render such non-prosecutorial support,
investigative aid and other assistance as the Attorney Pro Tem deems proper”. This would give
control of the investigation to the OAG. However, Defendant White had been working as a
Special Assistant District Attorney with the CCDAO since December of 2008 and was formally
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |8
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 9 of 32 PageID #: 9
“deputized” as an Assistant District Attorney for Collin County in September of 2009 when this
31. Defendant Abbott failed to intervene when the investigation his office was
32. In September of 2008, the first known grand jury subpoena was issued as a result
of a criminal investigation against Judge Wooten, before Judge Wooten took the bench in
January of 2009. At least 9 grand jury subpoenas for documents were issued in the Fall of 2008
alone.
33. In September 2009, Defendant Milner started issuing grand jury subpoenas for
Judge Wooten’s employees, numerous people who contributed funds to Judge Wooten's
34. The CCDAO used at least five grand juries to investigate this criminal case
against Judge Wooten. More specifically, the grand juries of the Fall of 2008, Spring of 2009,
Fall of 2009, Spring of 2010, and Fall of 2010. Four of the five grand juries were used to
subpoena bank records, phone records, credit card documents, personal records, emails, and
various campaign-related vendor information. Three of the five grand juries was used to
subpoena witnesses.
35. District Judge Chris Oldner presided over one of the grand juries (Fall of 2009).
That grand jury wrote a letter to Judge Oldner explaining that they felt the case against Judge
Wooten was unnecessary, a waste of tax payers dollars, and that no crime had been committed.
36. In April of 2010, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began investigating
three attorneys in the CCDAO: District Attorney John Roach, First Assistant District Attorney
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT Page |9
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 10 of 32 PageID #: 10
Greg Davis, and Chief of Special Crimes Unit Assistant District Attorney Chris Milner, for
allegations that the CCDAO was misusing the grand jury to create politically motivated
investigations against Judge Wooten and Collin County District Attorney candidate Greg Willis.
37. The FBI investigation involved numerous interviews. One of those interviews was
with grand jury member, D.J.,1 who was on the grand jury that heard Wooten and Willis
investigations. According to D.J., Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Paul Anfosso usually
presented the cases to the grand jury. The exceptions were usually cases involving crimes against
children in which the specific ADA assigned the case made the presentations. There were two
exceptions. These exceptions were articulated as being the District Attorney’s (DA’s) top two
cases and were presented by ADA’s Davis and Defendant Milner. The cases involved Collin
38. D.J. stated that the two cases against Judge Greg Willis and Judge Wooten were
completely different from all the other cases heard by the grand jury. The presentation of
evidence for the two cases was strange. The prosecutors, Davis and Defendant Milner, often set
the stage for a witness by telling the grand jury what the witnesses would testify about. The
prosecutors often made comments to both D.J. individually and to the grand jury as a whole,
which led D.J. to believe both cases may have had underlying personal issues.
39. D.J. described the cases against Judge Wooten and Judge Greg Willis as being
needlessly drug out, as no serious evidence was ever presented, even though prosecutors kept
promising that a "star witness'' would arrive who would make sense of all of it. These two cases
were handled totally different from other cases, which moved along more rapidly.
1
The name of this individual who served on the grand jury is being withheld to protect their identity.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 10
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 11 of 32 PageID #: 11
40. D.J. and other grand jury members started articulating to Davis and Defendant
Milner their concerns as to the DA’s Office having conflicts of interest with these cases. D.J. told
the prosecutors that the investigation seemed more like a political witch-hunt. D.J. asked Davis if
his boss (CCDA John Roach) knew what the prosecutors were doing. Davis responded that of
course Roach knew, that was why they were presenting the cases, and that Roach did not like
this person (Judge Greg Willis). After that comment, Davis tried to backtrack and told D.J. to
41. Defendant Milner kept promising that the grand jury would hear from a “star”
witness. This never happened. Defendant Milner kept bringing in DA office employees whose
testimonies added nothing new to what had already been presented. He seemed to be dragging
out the investigation. D.J. surmised that it was all politically motivated.
42. The grand Jury asked Defendant Milner to hear Judge Wooten’s criminal case,
but Defendant Milner refused to present the case to the grand jury. This was done because in the
event the grand jury no- billed Judge Wooten, Defendant Milner would have had to provide
substantial evidence to reopen the case. By not presenting the case to the grand Jury before its
term ended, Defendant Milner could just continue investigating Judge Wooten when the next
grand jury's term began. Defendant Milner was grand jury shopping.
43. On June 24, 2010, the Collin County grand jury (CCGJ) voted eight to three in
favor of a 90-day extension to their six-month term. The CCGJ wanted to hear additional
findings in the Judge Wooten investigation. Collin County District Judge Ray Wheless was
presiding over the grand jury at that time. Judge Wheless denied the grand jury the 90-day
extension because he felt the Attorney General (OAG) prosecutor was working on behalf of the
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 11
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 12 of 32 PageID #: 12
44. Collin County District Judge and presiding Grand Jury Judge Chris Oldner
admitted to Judge Wooten and Collin County District Court Judge Mark Rusch that he (Judge
Oldner) had two separate meetings with Davis and Defendant Milner regarding the substance of
their investigations against Judge Wooten and Judge Greg Willis. Judge Oldner informed them
that he did not believe that Davis and Defendant Milner had presented information that
warranted an investigation against Judge Wooten or Judge Greg Willis. Defendant Milner and
Davis’ responses were that they would eventually gather enough information to indict Judge
Wooten and Judge Greg Willis. They just needed more time to investigate.
45. Prior to Defendant Milner being employed at the CCDAO, grand jury
investigations initiated and conducted by the CCDAO. However, when Defendant Milner started
his employment with the CCDAO, the Special Crimes Unit was formed, and grand jury cases
46. Rumors of the CCDAO investigation were wide spread at the courthouse starting
in mid-2009 and Defendant Milner would often sit in the back of Judge Wooten’s courtroom
watching her when he had no case on her docket. Judge Wooten’s financial matters with her
long-time banking institution started changing in mid-2009 based upon its receipt of grand jury
subpoenas for her personal financial records and persons unknown to Judge Wooten were seen to
47. Defendant Milner and Judge Rusch had a close relationship. Judge Rusch told
Judge Wooten that Defendant Milner informed him (Judge Rusch) about details of the Judge
Wooten and Judge Greg Willis grand jury investigations. Defendant Milner explained to Judge
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 12
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 13 of 32 PageID #: 13
Rusch that he wanted to leave the CCDAO with a bang. Judge Rusch had mentioned to Judge
Wooten that Defendant Milner was looking to prosecute Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins
on a constable investigation. Further, Judge Rusch told Judge Wooten not to worry about Judge
48. On October 1,2009, Judge Wooten’s attorney, Peter Schulte (Schulte) contacted
Defendant Milner regarding the CCDAO investigation of Judge Wooten. Defendant Milner
demanded that Schulte meet with him pronto. Schulte met with Defendant Milner in the Collin
County Courthouse and in that meeting, Defendant Milner told Schulte that Judge Wooten had
one week to resign, or she was going to be facing indictment and would lose her house, law
license, her family, her reputation, and that he would put her in prison for a long time. When
Schulte inquired about the basis for Judge Wooten resigning, Defendant Milner replied that “she
knows what she did” and that the “Judge” (Defendant Roach insisted that he be called Judge
Roach) would look favorably upon her if she resigned. Judge Wooten declined to adhere to
Defendant Milner’s demand and continued her duties as a sitting District Judge.
49. A meeting took place between Defendant Milner and Spencer. During this
meeting, Defendant Milner asked Spencer to sign a blank confession. Defendant Milner
explained that he would tell Spencer what he was going to say in the confession after Spencer
pertaining to the Judge Wooten and Willis investigations was being destroyed within the
CCDAO.2
2
Mr. Goodman has since claimed in an interview with the FBI to be unaware of any destruction of
evidence.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 13
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 14 of 32 PageID #: 14
51. On September 21, 2009, Schulte issued a public information request to the
CCDAO for any communication the CCDAO had regarding policies and procedures when
presenting cases in Judge Wooten’s court. On December 16, 2009, the CCDAO responded to
Schulte’s request with a copy of an internal email from Davis to ADA Ben Smith and CCDA
Roach, which contained a brief paragraph congratulating Smith and ADA Linda Kirklen for their
52. On August 28, 2010, the FBI investigation into the CCDAO ended after
Defendant White told FBI investigators that the CCDAO had a legitimate investigation against
Judge Wooten and that the OAG expected to receive a grand jury indictment in the near future.
53. Schulte subsequently obtained an additional copy of what appeared to be the same
email, but with additional paragraphs in which Davis stated to only conduct a Trial Before Court
(TBC) in Judge Wooten and Judge Jill Willis’ courts if the ADA’s did not have any interest in
the outcome of the case and a TBC was the only way to reasonably dispose of the case. The
initial email Schulte received was redacted in efforts to hide the fact that the CCDAO did not
want Schulte to know of the policies and procedures in Judge Wooten and Judge Jill Willis’
courts. This showed that the CCDAO did not like the rulings Judge Wooten was making in
criminal cases.
54. A pattern of abuse of power and malicious prosecution for political gain plagues
the CCDAO. In the time surrounding the gross misuse of the law against Judge Wooten, there
has accumulated multiple examples of similar abusive conduct, including the following:
• Collin County District Judge Greg Willis was investigated by Defendant Milner
and Assistant Attorney General David Glickler while Greg Willis was a candidate
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 14
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 15 of 32 PageID #: 15
for the Collin County District Attorney position that would be vacated by Roach.
Judge Greg Willis’ case was not indicted by the grand jury convened by
Defendant Milner.
• Denton County Sheriff Weldon Lucas was indicted by Defendant Milner a day
after the election. The indictment against Sheriff Lucas was thrown out by a judge
• Dallas County Sheriff Jim Bowles was indicted by Defendant Milner for allegedly
accounts. The indictment was thrown out by a judge. The provision of the Texas
Election Code used by Defendant Milner does not even specify criminal penalties
• Dallas County Jail Commissary Vendor Jack Madera was indicted by Defendant
• J.V.3 is a defense attorney who was indicted by Defendant Milner for tampering
with a government record. The indictment was later thrown out. Upon
personal vendetta.
• D.W.4 is a defense attorney who was indicted by Defendant Milner for tampering
3
The identity of this individual is being withheld to protect them from any additional harm than has
already been caused by their wrongful prosecution.
4
The identity of this individual is being withheld to protect them from any additional harm than has
already been caused by this wrongful conduct.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 15
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 16 of 32 PageID #: 16
55. In addition to filing Motions to Disqualify the Attorney Pro Tem, including a
motion to remove the Attorney Pro Tem filed by District Attorney Greg Willis, Judge Wooten
filed a number of Motions to Quash the Indictment. One of the Motions to Quash the Indictment
56. On March 11, 2011, in a hearing on that Motion to Quash, presiding (visiting)
Judge Kerry Russell denied the Motion and stated in part that the “State can charge anyone under
any section they want” and ignored the Legislature’s intent of preventing this type of indictment
57. In July of 2011, Defendant White relayed an offer to Judge Wooten’s attorneys
that if she resigned, agreed to never run for public office again, and agreed to plead guilty to a
misdemeanor election code violation (to be crafted by Defendant White later), they would
dismiss the indictment. Judge Wooten’s re-election would have been in March of 2012. Judge
Wooten again declined the offer and shortly thereafter, Defendant White appeared in front of the
sixth Collin County grand jury, presented no witnesses aside from Attorney General Auditor
Kyle Swihart (whose testimony was not recorded) and obtained what they titled a “re-
58. Judge Wooten, along with the other alleged co-conspirators, was charged by
indictment (“re-indictment”) on July 14, 2011 4 for six counts of Bribery, one count of Engaging
in Organized Criminal Activity, one count of Money Laundering, and one count of Tampering
59. Judge Wooten’s trial was held first. Spencer’s trial was held second. Stacy Cary’s
trial was held third and David Cary’s trial was held last.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 16
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 17 of 32 PageID #: 17
60. Judge Wooten, Stacy Cary, and David Cary were each convicted by different
juries. Spencer opted to take a plea deal and was sentenced to probation. David Cary received 14
years confinement, serving 19 months of such sentence in a prison gang unit before his release,
61. The Carys were able to directly appeal their cases. Stacy Cary’s case was
appealed first. The Dallas 5th District Court of Appeals affirmed Stacy Cary’s conviction. See,
Stacy Cary v. State, 05-12- 01421-CR, 2014 WL 4261233 (Tex.App. - Dallas 2015). However,
in his dissenting opinion, Justice Kerry P. Fitzgerald offered a scathing dissent, stating that “with
respect to the bribery charges at the heart of this case, this case is most unusual because the
State’s evidence is not merely insufficient - if affirmatively negates an essential element of the
bribery charges and proves appellant not guilty.” Id. at page 1, Dissenting Opinion (Tex.App. -
Dallas 2014)”. Further, Justice Fitzgerald confirmed that all the other counts of the indictment
62. Several months later, a unanimous panel of the Dallas 5th District Court of
Appeals reversed the convictions of David Cary and rendered acquittals on all counts, finding
that there "was insufficient evidence to support his convictions" on all counts (emphasis added).
See, David Cary v. State, 460 S.W.3d 731 (Tex.App. - Dallas 2015).
63. The State in the David Cary case and Stacy Cary c a s e ( t h e O A G ) filed a
Petition for Discretionary Review (PDR) with the Court of Criminal Appeals. The Court of
Criminal Appeals granted PDR on each case and heard the cases in tandem.
64. On December 14, 2016, the Court of Criminal Appeals handed down their
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 17
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 18 of 32 PageID #: 18
65. In David Cary’s case, the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the 5th District
Dallas Court of Appeals opinion and affirmed the acquittal on all counts. See, David Cary v.
66. In Stacy Cary’s case, the Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the opinion of
the 5th District Dallas Court of Appeals and rendered acquittals on all counts as well. See,
67. In both cases, the Court of Criminal Appeals stated that there was “insufficient
68. On May 10, 2017, Judge Wooten filed her First Amended Application for 11.072
Writ of Habeas Corpus Declaring Actual Innocence as a Matter of Law with the 366th Judicial
69. On May 24, 2017, the Court granted Judge Wooten’s requested relief finding that
the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, in its decisions in Stacy Stine Cary v. State, 507 S.W.3d
750 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016) and in David Cary v. State, 507 S.W.3d 761 (Tex. Crim. App.
2016), acquitted those co-defendants on all counts (which were substantially identical to the
charges against Judge Wooten), finding the evidence presented legally insufficient because the
allegations, even if true, were not crimes under Texas law. The Court found that those Opinions
by the highest criminal court in the State of Texas were directly relevant to Judge Wooten’s case
and required the Court to GRANT the relief Judge Wooten requested, as a matter of law.
70. The Court further found that, in light of Stacy Stine Cary v. State, 507 S.W.3d 750
(Tex. Crim. App. 2016) and in David Cary v. State, 507 S.W.3d 761 (Tex. Crim. App. 2016), the
evidence presented at Judge Wooten’s trial was legally insufficient to convict her of the
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 18
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 19 of 32 PageID #: 19
following nine (9) felony convictions: one (1) count of Conspiracy to Commit Engaging in
Organized Criminal Activity, six (6) counts of Bribery, one (1) count of Money Laundering, and
one (1) count of Tampering with a Governmental Record with Intent to Defraud/Harm.
71. The Court found a violation of Judge Wooten’s due process rights.
IV.
Count I – 42 U.S.C. § 1983
Violation of Due Process Rights
herein.
73. As described more fully above, all of the Defendants, while acting individually,
jointly and in conspiracy, as well as under color of law and within the scope of their
employment, deprived Plaintiff of her constitutional rights. Indeed, a judicial finding has been
made that the arrest and prosecution of Plaintiff violated her right to due process. Exhibit A,
74. In the manner described more fully above, the Defendants conducted a reckless
criminal investigation, knowingly arresting Plaintiff without probable cause and pursued a
criminal prosecution of Plaintiff for alleged conduct that was not criminal and based upon “facts”
they knew were untrue. Absent this misconduct, the prosecution of Plaintiff could not and would
not have been pursued. Moreover, the Defendants continued the prosecution of Plaintiff after
they knew, or should have known, that Plaintiff had committed no criminal act.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 19
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 20 of 32 PageID #: 20
75. Defendants’ misconduct directly resulted in the unjust arrest and criminal
prosecution of Plaintiff, in violation of her rights under the United States Constitution.
suffered injuries, including but not limited to financial harm and emotional distress.
77. The misconduct described in this Count was objectively unreasonable and was
78. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken by employees and agents
of the Collin County, including but not limited to Defendants, pursuant to the policy and
practices of Collin County to pursue wrongful arrests and convictions through profoundly flawed
investigations and false allegations. In this way, Collin County violated Plaintiff’s rights by
maintaining policies and practices that were the moving force driving the foregoing
constitutional violations.
Collin County, were able to exist and thrive because the policymaker(s) with authority over the
same exhibited deliberate indifference to the problem, thereby effectively ratifying it.
80. The widespread practices described in the preceding paragraphs were allowed to
flourish because Collin County failed to implement sufficient training and/or any legitimate
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 20
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 21 of 32 PageID #: 21
herein.
83. As described more fully above, all of the Defendants, while acting individually,
jointly and in conspiracy, as well as under color of law and within the scope of their
employment, deprived Plaintiff of the clearly established and well-settled constitutional right
protected by the Fourth Amendment to U.S. Constitution to be free from unreasonable searches
84. In the manner described more fully above, the Defendants conducted a reckless
criminal investigation, knowingly arresting Plaintiff without probable cause and pursued a
criminal prosecution of Plaintiff for alleged conduct that was not criminal and based upon “facts”
they knew were untrue. Absent this misconduct, the prosecution of Plaintiff could not and would
not have been pursued. Moreover, the Defendants continued the prosecution of Plaintiff after
they knew, or should have known, that Plaintiff had committed no criminal act.
85. Defendants’ misconduct directly resulted in the unjust arrest and criminal
prosecution of Plaintiff, in violation of her rights under the United States Constitution.
suffered injuries, including but not limited to financial harm and emotional distress.
87. The misconduct described in this Count was objectively unreasonable and was
88. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken by employees and agents
of the Collin County, including but not limited to Defendants, pursuant to the policy and
practices of Collin County to pursue wrongful arrests and convictions through profoundly flawed
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 21
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 22 of 32 PageID #: 22
investigations and false allegations. In this way, the Collin County violated Plaintiff’s rights by
maintaining policies and practices that were the moving force driving the foregoing
constitutional violations.
Collin County, were able to exist and thrive because policymaker(s) with authority over the same
90. The widespread practices described in the preceding paragraphs were allowed to
flourish because Collin County failed to implement sufficient training and/or any legitimate
herein.
pattern and practice of misconduct which occurred with the knowledge and consent of those of
Defendants who acted in a supervisory capacity, such that these Defendants personally knew
about, facilitated, approved, and condoned this pattern and practice of misconduct, or else
affirmatively turned a blind eye thereto without taking any steps to stop it.
94. In this way, these Defendants are personally responsible for the complained-of
injuries because they knowingly, willfully, or at least recklessly caused the alleged deprivation of
Plaintiff’s civil rights by their actions or by their deliberately indifferent failure to act.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 22
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 23 of 32 PageID #: 23
95. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken with malice, willfulness,
96. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken, at least in part, pursuant
to Collin County’s policies and practices in the manner more fully described above.
herein.
99. One or more of the Defendants had a reasonable opportunity, had they been so
inclined, to prevent another Defendant from violating Plaintiff’s rights in the manner described
100. The misconduct described in this Count was objectively unreasonable and was
101. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken, at least in part, pursuant
to Collin County’s policies and practices in the manner more fully described above.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 23
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 24 of 32 PageID #: 24
herein.
104. Defendants John Roach, Sr., Christopher Defendant Milner, Gregory Abbott, and
themselves to wrongfully arrest and prosecute Plaintiff for false and legally untenable claims of
and Tampering with a Governmental Record, and to thereby deprive Plaintiff of her
105. In this manner, Defendants, acting in concert with other unknown co-conspirators,
106. In furtherance of the conspiracy, each of the coconspirators committed overt acts
107. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken with malice, willfulness,
108. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken, at least in part, pursuant
to Collin County’s policies and practices in the manner more fully described above.
110. This Count is only brought against the Individual Defendants in their individual
capacities and is not brought against any governmental entity or any of the individuals in their
official capacities.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 24
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 25 of 32 PageID #: 25
herein.
and criminal prosecution for which there was no legitimate probable cause. Judicial proceedings
were instituted and continued maliciously, resulting in injury, and all such proceedings were
113. The Individual Defendants accused Plaintiff of criminal activities knowing those
accusations to be without genuine probable cause and without support in the law, and they made
statements to judges and juries with the intent of exerting influence to institute and continue the
judicial proceedings. Such conduct violated Plaintiff’s constitutional protections provided by the
culpability were made with the knowledge that said statements were false. The Individual
115. The misconduct described in this Count was undertaken with malice, willfulness,
116. As a result of this misconduct, Plaintiff sustained and continues to sustain injuries
including financial harm, and emotional pain and suffering. This Count is only brought against
the Individual Defendants in their individual capacities and is not brought against any
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 25
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 26 of 32 PageID #: 26
Count VII –
Abuse of Process
herein.
118. The Individual Defendants made an illegal, improper, or perverted use of the
119. The Individual Defendants had an ulterior motive or purpose in exercising such
illegal, improper, or perverted use of the process. As a result of the Individual Defendants’
misconduct, Plaintiff sustained, and continues to sustain, injuries including financial harm, and
120. This Count is only brought against the Individual Defendants in their individual
capacities and is not brought against any governmental entity or any of the individuals in their
official capacities.
Count VIII –
42 U.S.C. § 1983
Monell Liability of Collin County
121. Collin County had a policy of pursing wrongful arrests and prosecutions without
probable cause and without due process. The policy maker in relation to the wrongful arrests
and prosecutions pursued without probable cause and without due process, was Collin County
122. A pattern of similar incidents of abusive arrests and prosecutions plagued Collin
County during the relevant periods of this lawsuit. Indeed, multiple examples of abusive conduct
accumulated under the reign of District Attorney Roach, including the following:
• Collin County District Judge Greg Willis was investigated by Defendant Milner
while he was a candidate for the Collin County District Attorney position that
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 26
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 27 of 32 PageID #: 27
would be vacated by Defendant Roach. Judge Greg Willis’ case was not indicted
by the grand jury convened by Defendant Milner and the David Glickler.
• Denton County Sheriff Weldon Lucas was indicted by Defendant Milner a day
after the election. The indictment against Sheriff Lucas was thrown out by a judge
• Dallas County Sheriff Jim Bowles was indicted by Defendant Milner for allegedly
accounts. The indictment was thrown out by a judge. The provision of the Texas
Election Code used by Defendant Milner does not even specify criminal penalties
• Dallas County Jail Commissary Vendor Jack Madera was indicted by Defendant
• J.V.5 is a defense attorney who was indicted by Defendant Milner for tampering
• D.W.6 is a defense attorney who was indicted by Defendant Milner for tampering
123. The constitutional violations in this case were the direct result of the policy,
custom and practice and general atmosphere within the CCDAO in which political arrests and
124. The policy of the CCDAO of targeting citizens and elected officials without
probable cause to believe they had engaged in any unlawful conduct was the moving force
5
The identity of this individual is being withheld to protect them from any additional harm than has
already been caused by their wrongful prosecution.
6
The identity of this individual is being withheld to protect them from any additional harm than has
already been caused by their wrongful prosecution.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 27
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 28 of 32 PageID #: 28
125. It is particularly important to note the CCDAO was fully aware that Plaintiff had
not violated any law. Yet, the CCDAO initiated an arrest, conducted a sham investigation, and
pursued prosecution of Plaintiff. In doing so, the CCDAO ratified the wrongful acts of its
126. The policy, custom, and practice of Collin County was to execute, encourage
and/or ratify the arrest and prosecution of individuals and elected officials in Collin County
without probable cause and without providing due process. These practices were common and
widespread so as to constitute a custom that fairly represents the policy of the Collin County.
127. At the time of the incident, Defendants John Roach, Sr., Defendant Christopher
Milner, and Harry Defendant White were acting pursuant to a custom, policy, practice and/or
procedure of the CCDAO. For years, as depicted in countless media accounts, the CCDAO has
had a custom and culture of political prosecutions. Defendants’ actions constitute a violation of
42 U.S.C. § 1983 and of Plaintiff’s clearly established and well-settled rights to be free from
unlawful searches, seizures, and prosecutions, as protected by the Fourth and Fourteen
128. Plaintiff would show that Defendant Collin County is liable because a pattern,
practice or policy of constitutional violations existed that led to the violation of Plaintiff’s
constitutional rights. At the time of Plaintiff’s wrongful arrest and prosecution, there was a
widespread practice in the CCDAO of abusing prosecutorial powers. The practice was so
widespread as to constitute the policy and custom of the Collin County itself.
129. The CCDAO had, during the relevant time period of this complaint, an informal
custom, practice or policy regarding the wrongful arrest and prosecution of individuals without
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 28
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 29 of 32 PageID #: 29
130. The above practices, policies, and customs constituted deliberate indifference
towards Plaintiff’s constitutional rights. The violation of her constitutionally protected rights
(including those protected by the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments) was a direct and
foreseeable cause of her injuries. As a result, Plaintiff is entitled to recover actual damages as a
matter of law. Plaintiff sues Collin County for actual and exemplary damages. The practices,
policies and customs were the moving forces behind the constitutional violations that resulted in
V.
NO ABSOLUTE OR QUALIFIED IMMUNITY
immunity. In this regard, Plaintiff points out that Defendants conduct fell outside the actions
“intimately associated with the judicial phase of the criminal process” and as such are not
afforded absolute prosecutorial immunity. See Imbler v. Pachtman, 424 U.S. 409, 430 (1976);
see Burge v. Parish of St. Tammany, 187 F.3d 452, 478 (5th Cir. 1999) (prosecutor acting as
investigator not entitled to absolute immunity). “A prosecutor has no absolute immunity for legal
advice given to the police, nor for administrative duties or investigatory functions that do not
v. City of Houston, 297 F. Supp. 3d 748 (S.D. Tex. 2017), reconsideration denied sub nom.
Brown v. City of Houston, Texas, CV H-17-1749, 2018 WL 1333883 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 15, 2018).
A prosecutor may not shield his investigative work with the aegis of absolute
immunity merely because, after a suspect is eventually arrested, indicted, and
tried, that work may be retrospectively described as ‘preparation’ for a possible
trial; every prosecutor might then shield himself from liability for any
constitutional wrong against innocent citizens by ensuring that they go to trial.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 29
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 30 of 32 PageID #: 30
When the functions of prosecutors and detectives are the same, as they were here,
the immunity that protects them is also the same.
Buckley v. Fitzsimmons, 509 U.S. 259, 276, 113 S. Ct. 2606, 2617, 125 L. Ed. 2d 209 (1993).
132. Additionally, Plaintiff pleads that it is clearly established law that every citizen of
the United States has a clearly defined constitutional right to be free from an unlawful seizure by
law enforcement officials in accordance with the Fourth Amendment to the United States
Constitution, as applied to the several States through the Fourteenth Amendment, and are entitled
to due process of law under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to
the several States through the Fourteenth Amendment. No reasonable government official or
agent would have acted as Defendants did under the circumstances of this case, by arresting and
prosecuting Plaintiff without probable cause and without providing due process. Consequently,
immunity. In this regard, Plaintiff pleads that it is clearly established law that every citizen of the
United States has a clearly defined constitutional right to be free from an unlawful seizure by law
enforcement officials in accordance with the Fourth Amendment to the United States
Constitution, as applied to the several States through the Fourteenth Amendment, and are entitled
to due process of law under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to
the several States through the Fourteenth Amendment. No reasonable government official or
agent would have acted as Defendants did under the circumstances of this case, by arresting and
prosecuting Plaintiff without probable cause and without providing due process. Consequently,
7
Plaintiff maintains that immunity is not available for a prosecutor who initiates and conducts an investigation and
procures an indictment for a crime that does not exist.
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 30
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 31 of 32 PageID #: 31
VI.
DAMAGES FOR PLAINTIFF
134. Due to the wrongful acts of Defendants, Judge Wooten suffered mental anguish.
135. Due to the wrongful acts of Defendants, Judge Wooten suffered lost wages and
136. Due to the wrongful acts of Defendants, Judge Wooten is entitled to punitive
damages.
137. Judge Wooten requests costs of court and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.
140. Judge Wooten seeks such other and further relief, general and special, legal and
VII.
JURY DEMAND
141. Plaintiff, Suzanne H. Wooten, hereby demands a trial by jury pursuant to Federal
PRAYER
Defendants John Roach, Sr., Christopher Milner, Collin County, Texas, Gregory Abbott, and Harry
White, be cited to appear and answer herein, and that upon a final hearing of the cause, that this
Court enter judgment in her favor and against Defendants, awarding compensatory damages, costs,
and attorneys’ fees as well as punitive damages against each of the Individual Defendants and any
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 31
Case 4:18-cv-00380-ALM Document 1 Filed 05/23/18 Page 32 of 32 PageID #: 32
f. such other and further relief to which Plaintiff may be entitled at law or
equity.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________________________________
PLAINTIFF’S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT P a g e | 32