Ellis County DA To Represent State In Susan Hawk Removal Case
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas County Commissioners have appointed Ellis County District Attorney Patrick Wilson to represent the state in the case to remove Dallas County Criminal District Attorney Susan Hawk from office.
The Dallas County Democratic Party and others have been calling for Hawk to resign for months. Democrats cited Hawk's struggles with mental illness and a North Texas magazine article about Hawk that described her suicidal tendencies over the course of her treatment for depression. She told the magazine she considered taking a lot of sleeping pills she had back on July 29, and in August in Houston.
Hawk responded to her critics with a statement that said:
"I understand why my political opponents would want to use this against me, but I'm healthy and I know that my story can help others so I respectfully ask them to step back and give me a chance."
It was on July 30 when Hawk told her assistant she'd be taking a break from work. But it wasn't until nearly a month later, after people n and outside of the DA's office questioned her whereabouts, that Hawk released a statement that said, in part -
"For the past three weeks I have taken a break from work in an attempt to work through a serious episode of depression. It was my intention to return to work this week, but I have been unable to do so. I've decided that it would be in my best interest, and the best interest of the DA's office for me to take a four-week, unpaid leave of absence starting today and give this illness the professional attention it deserves."
In October, Cindy Stormer, a former top administrator inside the Dallas DA's Office, filed a petition in court to have Hawk removed from office. Hawk had fired Stormer from her position administrative chief. The petition filed said Hawk was incompetent and that her depression and severe mental illness incapacitates her ability to run the office. Hawk's attorney Dan Hagood said in response to the petition, "The petition is really a mean spirited re-packaging of Ms. Stormers constant wail over her termination from employment."
As District Attorney Hawk receives a salary of more than $210,000 a year.
After returning to office Hawk held her first town hall meeting in November, where mental health and marijuana were some of the topics discussed.
In his notice of representation Wilson said he is establishing his "clear and sole authority to act in this matter," and also requested a pre-trial conference "to determine various procedural matters". The case will now be considered by a judge, who could either move forward with a trial or dismiss the case.
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