Charges dropped against city judge
Two misdemeanor charges against suspended Brownsville Presiding Municipal Judge Ben Neece have been dismissed, however, the city manager will not reinstate him pending the go ahead from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Neece, 51, was arrested in February on misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and assault stemming from an argument with his wife, Jacqueline Cooke Neece, 39. She was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after she allegedly stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife.
City Manger Charlie Cabler placed Neece on administrative leave with pay Feb. 13 pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Shortly after Neece’s suspension, Cabler informed the commission about the allegations against Neece.
Cabler said Tuesday that he had yet to hear from the commission, adding he would not reinstate Neece until he is instructed to do so.
“I’m trying to get a response from them,” Cabler said. “Hopefully we will get a result soon.”
The two misdemeanor charges against Neece were dismissed after “insufficient evidence (was found) to show defendant’s guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to a State’s Motion to Dismiss form that was signed on Sept. 20 by Judge Daniel Robles of Cameron County Court-At-Law No. 3.
Neece’s attorney, Lawrence A. Walsh, was out of town, according to staff at his law office.
Neece said Wednesday that he was the victim and believes that to be the reason why the charges against him were dismissed.
State Rep. Rene O. Oliveira, D-Brownsville, who represents Cooke Neece in her criminal case, said Wednesday that the charges against his client would be dismissed as soon as she completed all requirements of a pre-trial diversion program, a type of probation for first time offenders. Upon completion the charges are dismissed, he said.
Since Neece’s suspension, Municipal Judge Rene DeCoss has been acting as full-time judge and the director of the municipal court, which were Neece’s responsibilities.
Neece was admitted to practice law by the State Bar of Texas in 1981. He was hired as a municipal judge for the city in 1984.
