Texas Judge Accused of Threatening Man’s Life to Force Plea Deal
Date: May 8, 2025 | By: Hunt County Theft Reports
RAINS COUNTY, TX — A disturbing federal civil rights lawsuit has surfaced in Rains County, Texas, alleging that a sitting judge threatened a man’s life in an effort to coerce a felony plea.
Coby Wiebe has filed suit against both Rains County and Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin, accusing the judge of threatening him directly over the phone—despite having no legal jurisdiction in the matter. According to the lawsuit, Judge Franklin told Wiebe:
“Dead men can’t testify.”
The explosive allegations are supported by phone records and a verified polygraph test. The fallout was swift—Wiebe’s conviction has since been vacated at the request of the District Attorney. In an unprecedented move, the presiding judge granted judicial clemency , rarely issued in Texas…