HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Kelli Johnson’s DWI case is being taken over by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, but is staying in Harris County.
Johnson is the elected official of the 178th District Court.
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In June, she was arrested by a Houston Police Officer for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to her Defense Attorney Chris Tritico, she blew a 0.0.
“The brief medical episode is being immediately addressed with her doctor. She asks for privacy while addressing this personal health matter,” Tritico told KPRC 2 Investigates.
The Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg recused herself from the case, opening the door for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to take it over.
“I can confirm that we have been appointed as pro tem prosecutors in this case. Mr. Taylor Vanages is an assigned prosecutor in this case,” First Assistant District Attorney Michael Holley told KPRC 2 investigative producer Jason Nguyen. “We respectfully decline to comment on the case, given that it is a pending prosecution.”
Earlier Friday, KPRC 2 Investigates confirmed with several sources that Johnson was taken to a mental health facility after a welfare check check at her home Thursday night.
According to multiple high-level sources, Houston Police officers went to the judge’s home on a welfare check and allegedly she became ‘combative’ with officers.
At that point, a ‘to be’ warrant was issued and Johnson was taken to a nearby mental health hospital.
Tritico tells us, “She was not arrested. I do not believe she will be charged with a new offense.”
KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun learned Johnson recently had all of her cases reassigned indefinitely, and her Court Reporter, Gail Rolen, filed a judicial complaint against the judge adding, “Enough is enough.”
This all comes as Judge Johnson oversaw the David Temple, Antonio ‘AJ’ Armstrong Jr., and Brian Coulter cases.
During a previous stop in April with Harris County Sheriff’s Office she told deputies, “So, I’ve tried the Brian Coulter case, which is y’all’s, all week, crappiest week.”
Ultimately after field sobriety tests were conducted and a meeting with three deputies, Judge Johnson was let go with a speeding warning for going 77 in a 65.