ELDORADO, Texas (AP) _ Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott made a surprise appearance at the sexual assault trial of a polygamist church member.
Abbott didn’t actively participate in jury selection, but he was introduced to more than 100 potential Schleicher County jurors in a state district court this afternoon. He also listened to individual questioning of the jury prospects, but didn’t directly question them.
The prospective jurors were summoned to hear the case against 57-year-old Allan Keate. He’s the second member of a polygamist group raided by Texas authorities to face criminal trial. He faces up to life in prison if convicted of sexual assault of a child.
Abbott spokesman Jerry Strickland says the Keate case is important, “and the attorney general’s office remains committed to seeking justice.” He said that as the state’s chief law
enforcement officer, Abbott attended the proceedings in the tiny West Texas town of Eldorado as part of the prosecution team.