WAXAHACHIE
Dallas Judge Jim Jordan ruled Wednesday that Ellis County Pct. 4 Constable Mike Jones will be temporarily removed from office. The ruling comes after a hearing that spanned the better portions of the last two weeks.
“After considering the motion, the petition for removal, Constable Jones’ answer(s), the evidence presented at the hearing, and argument and legal authorities presented by counsel, the court hereby grants the petitioner’s motion to temporarily suspend the defendant, Michael Wade Jones,” wrote Jordan in the order.
Jordan then appointed Ellis County resident, Mark Howard, to serve as constable in Jones place. Howard told the court Friday that he works part-time with the DeSoto Police and is an instructor with the Navarro College Police Academy. Prior to working at DeSoto, Howard served for more than 30 years with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
In his testimony, Howard stated that he was willing to perform the duties of the constable's office and that he would temporally suspend other commitments he had. He shared that he did not know Jones and would not be running for the office.
The Ellis County and District Attorney’s office brought the civil suit against Jones for a second time, due to his pending criminal charges.
“We are certainly pleased with the ruling and we think that this is the right ruling. The judge did what we asked him to do and we couldn’t ask, certainly, more for that,” County and District Attorney Patrick Wilson said. "The next step will be a jury trial where the citizens of Ellis County will be asked to make the final determination.”
Assistant County and District Attorney William Little stated that Jury selection on the permanent removal is anticipated to take place March 12. The trial is estimated to span two weeks. The trial was initially set to take place Jan. 29.
Jones’ attorney, Dan Gus, stated he feels that the jury will make the right decision when the time comes.
“We are eager to get this in front of a jury as soon as possible,” Gus said. “We think that when the jury hears all the evidence, considers what is going on, and see how many lies were told about the constable and his wife by the chief accuser whose allegations resulted in all of this we are pretty confident that the jury is going to make the right decision.”