GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – Legal troubles have already cost suspended Galveston County Judge Christopher Dupuy his seat on the bench. Now they may cost him custody of his children.
Dupuy was in a Galveston County courtroom Friday, one day after he was suspended without pay following his arrest and indictment on eight criminal offenses. The counts ranged from official oppression and retaliation to misuse of equipment.
A source told Local 2 that Dupuy's posted a $19,000 bond Wednesday and was released.
Dupuy's ex-wife, Adrienne Viterna, filed a request for a protective order, aimed at denying Dupuy custody of the couple's two children.
In an affidavit, Judge Dupuy is accused of planning to kill Viterna and flee the country. Viterna testified that her ex-husband took their kids on a trip to Mexico last year, without telling her; an apparent violation of court orders.
Viterna added that she fears Dupuy will flee the country again and is not fit to keep custody of the children.
On the witness stand, Viterna described her former husband as "manipulative, controlling, and mean."
Judge Dupuy's attorney offered virtually no cross-examination of Viterna instead choosing to stand in objection of nearly every question that was asked by Viterna's attorney. Nearly every one of those objections was sustained by the presiding judge.
Court was adjourned Friday without a resolution. The custody case is expected to resume Wednesday in Galveston.