SEBESTA DISBARRMENT UPHELD
A disciplinary board of the State Bar of Texas has affirmed the Bar’s decision to disbar the former prosecutor in the Anthony Graves case.
The agency determined Charles Sebesta withheld evidence and used false testimony to win a capital murder conviction against Graves, who was later exonerated by an independent investigation.
The Dallas Morning News reports that the Board of Disciplinary Appeals made its ruling regarding Sebesta, Monday.
In an extremely rare move, the agency revoked the former Burleson County and Washington County district attorney's law license in June, finding that he had engaged in prosecutorial misconduct in the case of Graves.
Sebesta was cited for his alleged failure to provide items of evidence to the defense during Graves’ trial; presenting false testimony to the jury; making a false statement of material fact to the trial judge; and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
Sebesta appealed the ruling in January, claiming the Bar made its decision due to media and political pressure, but lost that appeal Monday. The board's decision is final.
Graves was convicted and sent to Texas death row for the 1992 slayings of six members of a Somerville family. A federal appeals court reversed his conviction in 2006, following an extensive investigation led by former Harris County prosecutor Kelly Siegler and current Washington County Sheriff nd former Texas Ranger Otto Hanak.
Graves, who spent 18 years in prison, including 12 on death row, filed a complaint in January of 2014.
Thank You to the State Bar of Texas. Mr. Sebesta got what he deserved, let him see what this life changing event feels like. Nothing compared to what Anthony Graves endured !!! Mr. Sebesta will still live in a free environment, eat out, go to social activities, etc. Anthony Graves had none of the above, all because of a crooked prosecutor !!!! He did it to himself, no one but himself to blame for his downfall. Good luck Anthony in all that you pursue in your future !!
I agree with the disbarment of crooked lawyers just the same as I disagree of removing the license of doctors that intentionally do harm to their patients.
Lawyers have the responsibility to do the right thing in those positions where people’s lives are at stake. That job should not ever be taken lightly, nor should it be performed by the dishonest.
Convicting the wrong person, no matter what their life was like, for a murder they did not commit because you were dishonest and did not give your best to find the truth, that sir is an outrage and completely unacceptable. I don’t know how some people sleep at night.
Charles Sebesta deserves to be disbarred. This is GREAT news it made my day.