Willacy DA walks to Edinburg

EDINBURG - As former District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's two-day walk to the 13th Court of Appeals ended Wednesday afternoon, he said it left him hopeful for the judicial system and optimistic about his own law practice.

During his 40-mile trek, Guerra said he was approached by a number of people asking for legal advice. Additionally, he estimated that close to 75 people offered their support, one even handing him $100.

"I could be the walking attorney," he said Wednesday morning, once he had passed La Blanca, west of Elsa.

Guerra arrived in Edinburg, across the street from the court on East Cano Street, shortly before 4 p.m.

A friend driving his recreational vehicle followed him as he walked from the Willacy County Courthouse in Raymondville. A sign on the RV, along with posters made by supporters and family members, read "Support attorney Juan Angel Guerra - fight judicial corruption."

Guerra walked to the court to file a court document seeking the reversal of a decision by state District Judge Manuel Bañales, the Fifth Judicial District's administrative judge as a protest.

The ruling barred him from trying to re-indict former Vice President Dick Cheney, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., and other officials.

"I just want the court of appeals to make the right decision," Guerra said.

Guerra said he hasn't thought of what he'd do if the court doesn't agree with him.

"They will have to face the music sometime," he said of Lucio and Cheney.

It would be up to Guerra's successor, District Attorney Bernard Ammerman, to take up the case should the court reverse Bañales' decision.

Still, district attorneys in Hidalgo and Cameron counties could try to pursue the case since Lucio is a senator for both those counties. Grand juries in those counties could seek Guerra for evidence, he added.

"It's my job to expose judicial corruption," he said.

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Edwina P. Garza is a reporter for the Valley Morning Star.