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Verdict in Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial could come this week

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton looks up at the gallery during the first day of his impeachment trial in the Texas Senate chambers at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. The Texas House, including a majority of its GOP members, voted to impeach Paxton for alleged corruption in May.
Juan Figueroa
/
Pool
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton looks up at the gallery during the first day of his impeachment trial in the Texas Senate chambers at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. The Texas House, including a majority of its GOP members, voted to impeach Paxton for alleged corruption in May.

The trial seems to be nearing an end sooner than what was initially expected by Texas senators.

The fate of Ken Paxton, the state’s suspended attorney general, could be decided as soon as this week.

The embattled Republican is facing 20 impeachment charges in a trial before the Texas Senate.

On Monday, the fifth day of the proceedings, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told the court that testimony would likely end later this week. The 30 senators who will decide Paxton’s fate might begin deliberations as soon as Thursday.

Patrick said both sides have used about 14 and a half of their allotted 24 hours of time. Patrick added that, over the next few days, he intended to continue proceedings until the early evening, saying there will be no pauses in action on the Senate floor until verdicts are decided on the multiple charges against Paxton.

"Members of the jury, you may have this in your hands late Thursday or Friday. We will not take a day off until a final resolution," he said.

Paxton has been accused of bribery, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. House impeachment managers say he used his office to shield a political donor and friend from an FBI investigation.

Paxton allegedly did so despite top staff objecting to it, and warned him to stay away from Nate Paul, the subject of the investigation.

If convicted, Paxton would be removed from office.

Copyright 2023 KERA. To see more, visit KERA.

Julián Aguilar | The Texas Newsroom
Sergio Martínez-Beltrán | The Texas Newsroom