Three Hood County Commissioners set to Testify in Civil Rights Trial

Biggers v. Judge Massingill

Three current members of the Hood County Commissioners Court — Kevin Andrews, Nannette Samuelson, and Dave Eagle — are scheduled to testify in the upcoming Biggers v. Massingill civil trial, set to begin March 2.

The lawsuit, filed by former Hood County GOP Chair Steve Biggers, alleges that County Judge Ron Massingill violated his First Amendment rights during public Commissioners Court meetings in 2022 and 2023.

According to the complaint, Biggers asserts that Judge Massingill improperly restricted his speech on three separate occasions over a seven-month period, actions Biggers contends were unconstitutional.

Under Texas law, the Commissioners Court is responsible for establishing and enforcing limited, content-neutral rules governing public participation during official meetings.

These rules must comply with constitutional protections, particularly the right to free speech in a public forum.

The testimony of Commissioners Andrews, Samuelson, and Eagle is expected to focus on the court’s policies, procedures, and enforcement practices during the time period in question, as well as their individual roles and observations regarding the alleged incidents.

The case centers on whether the actions taken during public hearings exceeded permissible limitations and crossed into unconstitutional suppression of speech.

The outcome could have broader implications for how public comment rules are enforced in Hood County and other jurisdictions across Texas.

The trial will be held in Northern District Federal court, with proceedings beginning March 2. Further updates are expected as testimony unfolds.

- Staff Writer, Hood County Express