Spiller plays role in historic Paxton impeachment trial

Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) is one of 12 House impeachment managers who will present evidence at the Sept. 5 trial of Ken Paxton, the first Texas attorney general in history to be impeached. Mr. Paxton, who was temporarily removed from office while the impeachment process is pending, is accused of bribery, dereliction of duty, disregard of official duties, and obstruction of justice.

Mr. Spiller, who represents Olney, has acted as a special prosecutor and as city attorney for Jacksboro. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only national association of about 7,300 experienced trial lawyers and judges.

The Texas Senate will conduct the case much like a criminal trial in a courtroom, receiving Mr. Paxton’s pleas on 16 of the 20 articles of impeachment that were approved by the Texas House in May. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will serve as the presiding officer – or judge – and the impeachment managers, including Mr. Spiller, will act as the prosecution along with three private attorneys.

Thirty of the 31 state senators, with the exception of Mr. Paxton’s wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, will serve as jurors. Several witnesses have been ordered to appear at the trial. They include four of Mr. Paxton’s former deputies who filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Texas Attorney General’s Office after they were fired in 2020 for reporting Mr. Paxton’s alleged misconduct to the FBI. Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor who allegedly paid for Mr. Paxton’s home renovations and hired his alleged girlfriend in exchange for favors, also has been ordered to appear.

Although the impeachment accusations are not criminal matters, Mr. Paxton faces a potential sentence of decades in state prison if convicted of the felony securities fraud charges pending against him in an unrelated 2015 case in Collin County.

Mr. Spiller declined to answer questions about the case, citing a gag order issued by Lt. Gov. Patrick preventing him and other participants from discussing the matter until after it has concluded.