The Hill News

A Texas judge said Tuesday that he will try former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay before his two co-defendants in a state criminal case.

“There is such a thing as a speedy trial,” Judge Pat Priest said at a pre-trial hearing, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “Five years later, it’s high time he got it.”

Priest's decision means that a verdict on DeLay (R-Texas) could come sooner rather than later. The Justice Depa! rtment last week decided to drop a six-year investigation of DeLay's relationship with convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff without filing charges. 

But DeLay still faces conspiracy and money laundering charges in Texas for, authorities allege, participating in a 2002 effort to funnel corporate money illegally to state campaigns.

Two former DeLay aides, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, face lesser charges of allegedly making unlawful political contributions.

The Statesman reported that the judge's comments are a setback for county prosecutors who wanted to try the co-defendants first.