Indictment dropped against Rick Perry

Indictment dropped against Rick Perry

By Sophie Tatum, CNN
Updated 11:40 AM ET, Wed February 24, 2016| Video Source: CNN

Washington (CNN)The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday dropped charges against Rick Perry that alleged the former Texas governor abused his power while in office.

Perry, a two-time former GOP presidential candidate, was indicted by a grand jury in August 2014 after he first threatened and then carried out a veto that defunded a statewide public integrity unit in an attempt to force a district attorney's resignation.

Perry originally faced two indictments, but one was dismissed by a lower court in July.

"Appeals court clears @GovernorPerry of all charges.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

#StandWithRick," tweeted an official account manned by his staff.


The case examined the state's separation-of-power provision in the Texas Constitution and a governor's veto power under the "abuse of official capacity" statute.

Perry fought the indictment, claiming that the counts were "unconstitutional."

The dismissal supported this claim, stating, "public servants have a First Amendment right to engage in expression, even threats, regarding their official duties."

Perry served as the governor of Texas for 15 years, where he was the longest-serving governor in the history of the state.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/24/politi...ped/index.html

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The dismissal supported this claim, stating, "public servants have a First Amendment right to engage in expression, even threats, regarding their official duties."

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Of course they do. A boss always has the authority to threaten the job of his employee if that employee performs poorly or brings discredit to the business. This situation was no different.