An ex-Rick Perry's staff member is one of three judges who will consider the ex-governor's appeal to have his felony abuse-of-power charges dismissed.
Justice Bob Pemberton is one of the judges from the Republican-dominated 3rd Texas Court of Appeals named to hear Perry's appeal. According to his court website biography, Pemberton was a deputy general counsel on the former governor's staff and briefing attorney to former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Phillips, who is now on Perry's legal team. Perry appointed him to the appeals court in 2003.
Campaign finance reports show Pemberton has contributed to numerous Republican campaigns and committees, including $1,000 to Perry's 2002 campaign for governor.
The selection was first reported by the Texas Tribune. The panel will take briefs on the appeal May 13.
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