A Texas judge testifies...  telling her side of the story for the first time.

Judge Sharon Keller is on trial for misconduct...  and says denying a request to keep her court open late...  did NOT amount to any decision on her part -  about a death-row inmate scheduled to be executed that night.

She testified that she got a call shortly before court closed about an appeal that was running late.

Keller said she knew it concerned that night's execution but that no explanation was given.

She denied being told of problems...  that delayed an appeal from convicted killer Michael Wayne Richard.

Keller is accused of denying Richard the right to file an appeal.

She faces five charges of judicial misconduct and could be removed from the bench.

EBRU NEWS