DeLay to get new judge for upcoming trial

DALLAS MORNING NEWS
AUSTIN, Texas -- A judge was removed from U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay's money laundering trial Tuesday because he contributed to Democratic groups that have targeted the congressman as a political enemy.
State district Judge Bob Perkins donated $5,275 over the past five years to such groups as MoveOn.org, the Democratic National Committee and the Texas Democratic Party, which defense lawyers insisted could raise questions about his impartiality on a politically charged case.
Retired Judge C.W. "Bud" Duncan Jr. ruled on the request from DeLay's lawyers to remove Judge Perkins after hearing more than four hours of testimony Tuesday. A separate judge will appoint a jurist to preside over the case.
DeLay sat directly behind his bank of lawyers, and at one point, Duncan asked if he were in the courtroom. "I'm not familiar enough to have picked you out," the judge said when DeLay stood up, causing the congressman to smile.
DeLay was forced to step down as House majority leader Sept. 28 after being indicted. He and two of his lieutenants are accused of conspiring to take $190,000 in corporate contributions, funnel them through the Republican National Committee and having the RNC redistribute the funds to seven GOP candidates for the Texas House.