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Texas Prosecutor Disbarred for Withholding Evidence

By August 4, 2015December 9th, 2020Withholding Evidence

In 1992, Anthony Graves was convicted of the murder of six people, including four children. The methods of murder involved included stabbing, shooting, and the use of a hammer. When the bodies were found, Graves was arrested after another man, Robert Carter, claimed that Graves was his accomplice. Despite the lack of evidence linking Graves to the crime, he was immediately apprehended and tried for murder.

At the conclusion of Graves’ trial, he was indeed found guilty, and received a death sentence. After spending 20 years in prison, including a dozen years on death row, Graves was acquitted of the crime. And in June of 2015, the prosecutor involved in the trial had his law license revoked.

Law License of DA Revoked

According to multiple news reports, the DA who led the charge and sentencing against Mr. Graves, Charles Sebesta, was recently disbarred. The revocation of his law license was warranted after the State Bar determined that Sebesta withheld evidence pertinent to Graves’ case, and also used false testimony in order to win the case against Graves. The official reason behind disbarring Sebesta was determined to be ‘professional misconduct.’

The investigation was brought forth after Anthony Graves filed a grievance with the State Bar in 2014. The grievance brought forth claims that Sebesta had violated ethical rules during the trial.

Anthony Graves Responds to the Disbarment

When Anthony Graves—who was recently appointed to the board of the Houston Forensic Science Center—learned of the disbarment, he told reporters that he had “waited 20-plus years for complete justice and freedom.” He added that, “No one who makes it a goal to send a man to death row without evidence – and worse, while hiding the evidence of my innocence – deserves to be a lawyer in Texas.”

Sebesta responded to the disbarment by stating that he still believes Graves to be guilty of the murders that happened so long ago.

The Importance of a Committed Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been convicted of a crime in Fort Worth, there’s nothing more important to your case than the commitment and passion of a determined criminal defense attorney. To ensure that no evidence suggesting your evidence is withheld from your trial—and that you get the most fair trial possible—contact the attorneys at the Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys, PLLC, P.L.L.C. You can reach us now at 817-435-2909 now.