Better security proposed year after shooting of judge

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Experts looking at safety of Texas judges nearly a year after an Austin jurist was shot have suggested removing some personal information of the elected officials from public databases.

After the 2015 incident, members of the Texas Judicial Council panel, a special committee made up of judges and lawmakers, were tasked to make recommendations to the Legislature aimed at keeping judges safe at home and work.

The group’s 19-page report was finalized recently. It emphasizes the need to create a security director to work with the state’s 254 counties on court safety.

Committee authors emphasized that this individual could provide “a centralized resource to learn of best practices in court security.”

Among other recommendations, the committee also calls for specialized training for courthouse security and judges, the creation of local security panels and increases in funding for to improve security measures.

Judge Julie Kocurek was shot Nov. 6 as she sat in a car outside her home. She recovered and has returned to work.

Three men have been arrested on allegations they conspired to have the judge killed.