PROSECUTOR IN GRAVES CASE DISBARRED

  

The former district attorney who sent Anthony Graves to prison for 18 years, 16 on death row, has been disbarred.

Former Burleson County District Attorney Charles Sebesta Jr. lost his law license after an administrative hearing into Graves' case by the disciplinary panel of the State Bar Association

Twice Graves was scheduled for execution before he was freed from prison four years ago for the 1992 murders of six members of a Burleson County family.

Robert Carter was convicted in 1993 and executed in 2000 for the crimes, but not before he admitted he was the lone killer, exonerating Graves of any involvement.

In a ruling issued Thursday, the disciplinary panel found that Sebesta failed to provide a number of items of exculpatory evidence to the defense during Graves' trial; presented false testimony to the jury; made a false statement of material fact to the trial judge; and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

The bar complaint against Sebesta was filed by Graves, said his complaint was an attempt to correct the criminal justice system and not a personal vendetta against Sebesta.

Laura Popps, deputy counsel for the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, said in a news release, "Mr. Sebesta's disbarment cannot begin to make up for what happened to Anthony Graves, but we hope it can bring him some sense of justice.”

"Whether it is prosecutorial misconduct or other serious allegations of attorney misconduct, our office remains committed to holding lawyers accountable for their actions and obtaining sanctions that protect both the public and the legal profession."

Sebesta could not be reached for comment.