Harris Co. judge reprimanded for ‘bias’ in death row case: State Commission on Judicial Conduct

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a public reprimand against Harris County District Court Judge Natalia Cornelio, concluding that she performed her judicial duties “with bias” in connection with a high-profile death row case.

The reprimand, released Monday, stems from Cornelio’s handling of an appeal involving Ronald Haskell, who was convicted in the 2014 murders of six members of his family. Prosecutors accused the judge of favoring the defense, leading to her removal from the case in January.

According to the commission’s findings, Cornelio’s actions “cast public discredit on the judiciary and the administration of justice.” The panel cited a “secret” bench warrant she issued last year that ordered Haskell’s return to Harris County for a midnight court hearing that never took place. During that time, Haskell remained in the county jail for three weeks and received an MRI at a private clinic near the Texas Medical Center.

Cornelio acknowledged to the commission that the bench warrant contained inaccurate information about a nonexistent court appearance because, she said, her staff just used a standard form. She admitted that she “should have been more careful” and said she has since taken steps to prevent similar mistakes.

Her attorney, Wendell Odom, said Monday that Cornelio “strongly disagrees” with the reprimand.

“She was following the law,” Odom said, “but unfortunately it gives the appearance that she’s favoring one side over the other, and she wasn’t at all.”

While the reprimand does not remove Cornelio from the bench, it will remain part of her public record. Legal experts say such sanctions can carry reputational and career consequences even if they don’t affect a judge’s ability to serve.

“Judges are supposed to be neutral and unbiased,” said attorney Steve Shellist, who is not connected to the case. “She still gets to hear cases, but there’s now a public mark on her record for anyone to see.”

Cornelio, now serving her second term, was recently elected by her peers as the Harris County Administrative Judge, a leadership role overseeing fellow district judges. Her attorney said he plans to appeal the reprimand this week. Her current term runs through 2028.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office did not comment on the commission’s findings. The reprimand also faulted Cornelio for agreeing, without a hearing, to keep Haskell’s transport logs secret, concluding that the decision further deprived prosecutors of an opportunity to be heard.

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