DeLay, Barton Subpoenaed In Texas Redistricting Case

The subpoenas were served Wednesday and demanded that DeLay and Barton give depositions in the case next week. But the two Texas Republicans are planning to ask a federal district court in Washington to quash the subpoenas, according to a lawyer for the Democratic plaintiffs.

"Every time the process seemed to stall or the Texas legislature seemed to feel it didn't have the stomach to do this, Joe Barton and Tom DeLay came down and twisted arms," said J. Gerald Hebert, a lawyer for the Texas Democrats who issued the subpoenas. "And they bragged about it. They brought the maps down and obviously played an active role in the redistricting process. We believe we are entitled to ask them about that role."

Subpoenas were also issued for Jim Ellis, director of DeLay's political action committee, and Craig Murphy, a political consultant to Barton. Murphy said he was told yesterday that he would not be required to testify.

Several lawsuits challenging the Texas redistricting plan were filed and have been consolidated into a single case that will be heard by a panel of three federal judges in Austin. The trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 11.