10/23/2025
Court Dismisses Commissioner Jerry Morales’ Petition Against Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu
EAGLE PASS, TX — Maverick County Commissioner Gerardo “Jerry” Morales suffered a legal defeat on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, when his petition seeking the removal of County Judge Ramsey English Cantu was dismissed in court. The case was heard by Retired Chief Justice Patricia O. Alvarez of the Fourth Court of Appeals, who presided over the matter at the Maverick County Courthouse.
Morales filed the petition under Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code, accusing Judge Cantu of official misconduct and incompetence. His claims centered on delinquent property taxes and questioned Cantu’s eligibility to hold public office.
After reviewing the evidence and listening to testimony, Judge Alvarez granted a Rule 91a dismissal, concluding that the filing lacked sufficient legal and factual grounds. She noted that the taxes in question had already been paid, making the complaint largely moot. The judge also questioned the purpose of continuing a case that appeared, in her words, to be more political than legal.
During the hearing, Judge Alvarez asked Morales whether he had personally verified the legal precedents referenced in his petition. Morales responded that he had not and admitted to using ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence program, to assist in drafting parts of the filing. The revelation prompted visible reactions inside the courtroom and raised doubts about the document’s accuracy and credibility.
In her ruling, Judge Alvarez emphasized that removal petitions under Chapter 87 require clear, deliberate, and verifiable evidence of wrongdoing or incompetence. The court determined that Morales failed to meet those standards and dismissed the petition without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of refiling if new evidence emerges.
Morales’ request to waive court costs was denied, leaving both parties to cover their own legal expenses. The judge concluded that the case lacked the substantive proof necessary to justify the removal of a sitting elected official and cautioned that such filings should not be used as political tools.
The decision has generated significant discussion across Maverick County, where residents and officials have debated whether the case represented a legitimate legal challenge or a politically motivated attempt to discredit the county judge. For now, the ruling leaves Judge Cantu firmly in office and serves as a reminder of the evidentiary burden required to remove an elected official under Texas law.