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Texas justice indicted in June house fire

Wife accused of starting blaze that caused $1 million damage

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updated 9:29 p.m. ET Jan. 17, 2008

HOUSTON - A Texas Supreme Court justice has been charged with tampering with evidence in a fire that destroyed his home, a blaze the judge's wife is accused of setting, a Houston television station reported Thursday.

Justice David Medina was indicted in the June fire at the couple's home in the Houston suburb of Spring that also damaged a neighbor's house, Medina's attorney Terry Yates told KHOU-TV. Damage cost: Nearly $1 million.

It was the second fire at the home in 10 years, and both blazes started in the garage.

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Francisca Medina, the judge's wife, was charged with arson, the station reported.

Medina, 49, is a former district judge in Harris County, which contains Houston, and was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Perry in 2004.

The Harris County prosecutor told the station he will move to dismiss the case for lack of evidence.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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