Suspended Upshur County judge cleared of oppression charges

October 14, 2011

By Jimmy Ardis
GILMER,Texas:Judge Dean Fowler returned to his duties on the Upshur County Court today after ten months of suspension. Fowler was suspended in December 2010 after having a man removed from a commissioner's court meeting for wearing duct tape over his mouth in protest of a now-lifted ban on public comment. Official oppression charges were filed in connection with the incident, resulting in Folwer's suspension pending his trial.

A judge found Fowler not guilty on Wednesday because the prosecution "had failed to prove Fowler knowingly violated Jimmy Caughron’s rights or even that Fowler was involved in Caughron being removed from a Commissioners Court meeting." He was reinstated on Thursday and resumed his duties earlier today. Commenting on the not-guilty verdict Folwer said “My family and I are relieved. We appreciate the judge’s decision. I would like to thank all of my supporters and the people who have been concerned about me in Upshur County.”