National Media Turns to Mary Beth Harrell, Not John Carter

When the national media wanted a straightforward opinion about a judge at the center of the Tom DeLay scandal, they turned to local leader Mary Beth Harrell, not DeLay lieutenant John Carter. Retired Bell County judge set to decide DeLay motion:

Colleagues say the judge is too seasoned and independent to bow to the political pressure that might come from a high-profile case like DeLay’s.

“He’s not inclined to put up with a lot of courtroom theatrics because he’s heard it all. I’ve never known him to be much of a political animal,” said Mary Harrell, a Killeen criminal defense attorney.

Since his 1988 retirement, Duncan took senior judge status, which means he serves as a visiting judge in courts around the state. Since he doesn’t have to run for election, he “doesn’t have an ax to grind politically,” Harrell said.