McAllen (Texas): A judge is scheduled to hear arguments on whether to dismiss indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Some officials are questioning the motives of the Texas county prosecutor who brought the indictments. They are accusing Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra of trying to end his tenure with a bang and even scores with political enemies.

Guerra says the decision to return the high-profile indictments of Cheney, Gonzales and other officials earlier this week was the grand jury's and the strong backlash is in response to his persistent investigation of ties between politicians and the private companies that run federal detention centres.

Presiding Judge Manuel Banales is scheduled to hear the arguments today on motions to dismiss or quash the indictments. Guerra, who missed a Wednesday court appearance, said he will be there this time.

The Vice-President is the highest public official that Guerra has pursued, but the district attorney has made a career which is now ending after he lost the Democratic primary in March of passing over routine county crimes in favour of public corruption.
Source : PTI