(Seguin) — Guadalupe County Court at Law Judge Bill Squires is speaking out this week. Squires issued a statement on Monday formally addressing the public about his recent arrest on child injury charges in San Marcos. The judge did not answer questions on the record, because he says there are limits to what he can say at this time, but he did share a prepared statement during a meeting with KWED Radio and the Seguin Daily News.
“During this challenging season of my life and career, I have been pondering the phrase “Do as I say, not as I do.” While the wheels of justice turn slowly (a problem I promised to address within my own courtroom), I want to reassure my community that the baseless claims lodged against me will be cleared in due time, my name and reputation will be restored, and my life’s mission will once again be recognized as one of “Do as I do.” Until that time, I will serve Guadalupe County with passion, integrity, and honesty,” wrote Squires.
Squires’ statement goes on to address how he plans to conduct his court’s business while he faces the charges in San Marcos.
“My commitment to transparent justice is precisely why I feel it is prudent to officially recuse myself from presiding over criminal cases in my Court until Hays County has time to do its job, as is evidenced by the attached memorandum. After they sift through the details of this unfortunate situation, I am confident that they will ultimately communicate the details of my innocence to the community. In exchange for the temporary reduction in my criminal caseload, I will be handling additional civil and probate matters,” wrote Squires.
The memorandum, regarding the temporary reassignment of cases, states that Judge Squires is voluntarily recusing himself from all criminal cases filed in county court at law on a temporary basis. The memo asks Guadalupe County Clerk Teresa Kiel to transfer all existing criminal cases and to assign all future criminal cases to the courtroom of Guadalupe County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Kirsten Legore. The memo further states that Squires is informing the office of County Attorney Dave Willborn that all criminal cases currently set in his court, will now be assigned to Judge Legore. The memo also makes clear that all civil filings should be now sent to his court.
Judge Squires statement didn’t go into any specifics related to his case, but he did use it as an opportunity to recognize those who have shown their support for him.
“Thank you to those who have believed in me, stood by me, and extended the grace of “innocence unless proven guilty.” I have learned so much as a human being, a lawyer, and a judge through this process. Well before I became a judge, I operated under the belief that “justice delayed is justice denied.” I have never agreed with that belief more deeply than I do now. I vow to use this experience to fortify me as a more well-rounded and compassionate public servant. In the meantime, may God bless you and Guadalupe County,” wrote Squires.
The formal statement from Squires is all tied to his arrest on Thursday, July 8 at the San Marcos home that he and his wife had been living in. According to police reports, Squires was arrested for suspicion of child endangerment and injury to a child. Squires maintains that the claims in the police report are “baseless.”
Police reports say that the family had recently returned from a vacation in Mexico. They allege that Squires hit his toddler child with the door during an argument with his wife. The reporting officer said that Squire’s wife was “holding their son,” behind a locked door — when an allegedly intoxicated Squires attempted to push his way into the house, striking the child as he entered. The officer stated that he “inspected (the child) and saw no obvious injury.” He says that Squires’ wife told police that she “had been holding (the boy) in a cradle position with his head toward the opening side of the front door” when Squires forced his way into the home. The officer also reported that according to his wife, Judge Squires was “enraged and disregarded that fact” that the boy had been allegedly struck by the open door. Police also claim that Squires smelled heavily of alcohol and that his eyes were red and watery during the incident. Squires had reportedly gone to the house after being driven there by a friend. He left with that same friend after his wife said she was going to call the police. He was later apprehended while in the vehicle at another location in San Marcos.
In addition to the July 8 police report, Austin police released a separate report to KSAT 12 in San Antonio. The television station reported that Squires’ wife filed another report on July 7 upon their return from their Mexican vacation. According to this report, the couple constantly argued on their trip, and Squires was drinking and smoking marijuana.
Judge Squires is refuting the claim that he used marijuana. Last night, he released a drug test that he took yesterday. The drug screening results provided by Squires indicates that he tested negative for marijuana — meaning none was found in his system as of yesterday. The screening also tests for other illegal drugs, and those also turned up negative on the test results provided.
Squires made clear that he could not discuss the case at this time, but his statement calls the claims against him “baseless.” In a statement released about a week after his arrest, Squires at the time, stated that he was asking for patience and privacy as his family goes through this difficult process of working through the dissolution of ≠their marriage.