Mayor Cook and City Manager Wilson Called to Court

Mayor John Cook and City Manager Joyce Wilson had to leave the regularly scheduled City Council meeting to attend court proceeding in the court of Judge Bonnie Rangel.

The case involves Oscar Marquez who is accused of allegedly assaulting a Public Servant, which is a 3rd Degree Felony according to the El Paso County website.

The attorney of record in the case is Theresa Caballero. The story was broken by El Paso Times reporter Marty Schladen.

Courthouse rumor is that Caballero had the mayor and city manager summoned to court in order to hear testimony regarding the incident because in their official capacity as Mayor and City Manager, the two oversee the actions of the El Paso Police Department.

A well-placed source in the County tells me that Caballero's client is accused of assaulting a member of the El Paso Police Department.

COMMENTARY: Everyone knows that City Council meets on Tuesday. Judge Rangel allowed this move on the part of Caballero to interrupt a regularly-scheduled meeting of City Council. The costs of the delay ultimately rests upon the tax-payers of the City of El Paso.

Should the tax payers have to foot the bill and bear the burden of Caballero's tactics that are, in my opinion, meant to create doubt in the minds of the public about our law enforcement?

How long can El Paso afford to pay for Caballero's agenda?

Why didn't Rangel postpone that portion of the trial until the next day when City Council isn't in session?

What is the relevance and/or importance of summoning the Mayor and City Manager?

Does anyone else think its interesting that the story was broken by Marty Schladen?

I know, he covers the city and county beats, but it is interesting nonetheless.