Liberty County DA denies assaulting wife
Liberty County District Attorney Logan Pickett has denied assaulting his wife in a weekend incident that allegedly left her needing three stitches on her head.
Pickett, 38, was arrested Saturday in Houston after police investigated a report called in from a clerk at a downtown hotel who said Megan Pickett had been assaulted.
The prosecutor’s attorney, Chip Lewis, issued a statement on Monday denying the allegations.
“Mr. Pickett did not assault his wife,” Lewis said. “We are extremely confident the Harris County District Attorney’s Office or a Harris County jury will agree once all of the underlying facts are thoroughly reviewed.”
Pickett’s wife walked into the hotel lobby around 4:30 a.m., “crying and fearful, with clothing in her hand,” according to court records read in a probable cause hearing Saturday. She asked for the valet so she could go home, the hotel’s front desk clerk told police.
The clerk asked Megan Pickett what happened, and she said that her husband pushed her during an argument, causing her to hit her head, court records show.
She needed three stitches to close the laceration on her head and refused medical attention, police said. She and her husband both declined to discuss what occurred, while Pickett only said that he and his wife had dinner with their friends and attended an event at Minute Maid Park the night before.
Police arrested and booked Pickett into Harris County Jail. He faces one charge of assault against a family member, a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, he could face up to one year in jail and/or a fine up to $4,000.
Pickett and his wife released a joint statement on Sunday, thanking supporters for their prayers. The couple refused to speak with officers at the scene.
“They will not make any further comment regarding the matter pending in Harris County,” Logan and Megan Pickett’s lawyers said in the statement. “They will rely on their strong faith in God and confidence in our justice system to carry their family through this most difficult time. They trust the process will afford them the same dignity, respect and equality as others who encounter our judicial process.”
“Logan will continue to serve the fine folks of Liberty County in the discharge of his duties as district attorney.”
Harris County hearing officer Courtney St. Julian on Saturday granted Pickett a pre-trial release bond of $1,000. The magistrate suspended Pickett’s concealed handgun license while the case is pending and ordered him not to make any threatening, harassing or violent conduct toward his wife.
The hearing officer acknowledged that Pickett should be held to a high standard because of his elected office, but said he was not a flight risk.
“Any time a person who is sworn to uphold the law, is accused of breaking the law, it does give this court pause,” St. Julian said.
The State Bar of Texas cannot seek disbarment for an attorney until they are convicted of a crime, unless the offense indicates the lawyer is a danger to themselves or their clients, said Claire Reynolds, public affairs counsel for the State Bar.
Pickett, a Republican, was elected to the district attorney’s office in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. His term ends in 2020. He graduated from the South Texas College of Law in 2006.
His next court setting is Jan. 7.