Trial date for Montgomery County Open Meetings Act violation case postponed until next spring

The trial date for Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark has been reset for March 27, county officials said. 

The county officials were indicted in June on charges that accuse the defendants of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act laws during the planning stages of the $280 million Montgomery County Road Bond that was approved by voters in November 2015. Political consultant Marc Davenport was indicted in the case as well.

The act mandates a quorum—or majority of elected officials of a governing body—must deliberate matters in a public meeting. A TOMA violation is considered a Class B misdemeanor.

The trial was postponed to allow the defense time to obtain and review grand jury testimony that was not released in time for the original trial, which was scheduled for Nov. 7 in the 221st state District Court.

Doyal said he is looking forward to clearing his name in court, and said the trial was postponed until March to accommodate the busy schedules of all the parties involved in the case.

“I hated to see it postponed but we were still getting information as late as last week—[the week before the trial],” Doyal said. “The lawyers just needed some more time. I hate it. I want my day in court. The sooner we can get this put behind us the better.”