Judge Edith Jones has been accused of making racist comments and discussing pending cases.  I previously wrote about that here.  Well, one of those pending cases came before the Fifth Circuit.  A man convicted of rape and murder and scheduled for execution has requested a stay of execution.  His lawyers asked that Judge Jones recuse herself from this decision.  She refused.  So, two other judges on the panel agreed the case should be heard by a new panel – without Judge Jones. 

See San Antonio Express News report.  Judges are held to a high ethical standard.  They are required to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.  I am surprised she would refuse the request.  Perhaps, she has difficulty accepting that her comments may undermine the appearance that she can remain objective about the case.