On Friday, July 11, 2025, Eyewitness News reported that prosecutors in Harris County, Texas, have accused Judge Melissa Morris of bias against domestic violence victims and are seeking her removal from a related case.
The allegations stem from a motion filed by prosecutors in the case of Aaron Wright, who received a 50-year prison sentence for breaking into his ex-wife’s home in Tomball in 2021 and shooting her five times.
According to court documents, prosecutors claim Judge Morris displayed skepticism toward the victim’s credibility and showed visible dissatisfaction with the jury’s verdict through her facial expressions. The motion further alleges that in a previous domestic violence case, Morris laughed and applauded following a not-guilty verdict. These actions prompted prosecutors to request her recusal from Wright’s case, where defense attorneys are seeking a retrial.
The issue is set to be addressed in a recusal hearing scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, where both Judge Morris and the prosecutors will present their arguments. Attempts to reach Judge Morris for comment were unsuccessful, as her office did not respond to multiple inquiries.
Several attorneys, including Vik Vij, vice president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, defended Morris, stating they have always known her to be impartial. Vij suggested the prosecutors’ motion could be a strategic move to prevent Morris from granting a new trial in Wright’s case. When asked about the specific claim that Morris laughed after a not-guilty verdict, Vij noted he was not present but found the allegation surprising, suggesting it could be misinterpreted as nervous laughter.
Legal experts note that motions to recuse a judge are uncommon, and it is even rarer for a judge to be involuntarily removed from a case.
Source: Enyewitess News
