BELL COUNTY, TX — Killeen City Council member Debbie Nash-King filed a lawsuit against three Killeen citizens alleging defamation of character, which came before a judge on Wednesday.
Nash-King said the defendants filed a petition to recall the 2017 election in her district and that petition could negatively affect her chances for re-election this year.
She also said that the defendants were making defamatory comments and postings on social media about her. However, she did not have any evidence.
The defense argued that Nash-King was using the lawsuit as a scare tactic and that there were no legal bases or evidence to support the lawsuit.
The judge agreed and ruled that Nash-King did not have enough evidence and dismissed the case.
The judge said that two of the defendants, Melissa Brown and Phyllis Jones, were protected under the Texas – Citizens-Participation-Act and ordered Nash-King to pay over $4,300 in court fees.
The third defendant, Holly Teel, failed to file the TCAP paperwork on time, but her case was also dismissed. The judge also ordered Nash-King to pay $1,500 in sanctions.
“I think the judge heard our argument and the fact that Miss Nash-King had filed a lawsuit with no legal bases to do so. She had no evidence,” said defense attorney Robert Notzon.
Nash-King said in regard to the court fees and sanctions, she respects the judge’s ruling.
“I respect the court system and I respect the law and if the judge made a decision that I have to do it, I will respect that,” said Nash-king.
