Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins (File)
DALLAS (March 7, 2013)--State District Judge Lena Levario Thursday dismissed the mortgage fraud case against the heir to an oil fortune because Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins refused to answer questions about the case.
Levario said Thursday it's clear to her that Craig Watkins was "calling the shots" when his office investigated Al Hill III.
Hill's attorneys alleged their client was being targeted as a favor to attorney Lisa Blue, a friend of Watkins' and a campaign donor.
Watkins declined to testify Thursday and was held in contempt, but without immediate sanctions.
Other prosecutors testified he attended a "pitch meeting" on the case before indictment.
Prosecutor Stephanie Martin says he asked several questions about it.
Levario said the evidence she's heard makes the case "smell really bad."
