A Rare Impeachment Trial

The Senate today began its first impeachment trial since Bill Clinton. This one is much less controversial; Federal Judge Samuel B. Kent of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas is most likely going to be convicted. Kent was accused of sexually assaulting two female employees at his court in Galveston and trying to cover up his actions. He pled guilty to obstruction of justice and is currently serving time in a federal prison medical facility in Massachusetts – due out in November 2011. The House impeached Kent last week in three unanimous votes. If convicted, Kent would stop receiving his $174,000-a-year salary. The process will take a couple of weeks as senators appointed today review the case.

This is the 17th time the Senate has held an impeachment trial in its history with roughly half of the defendants convicted and half acquitted. For history buffs, a complete list and history of Senate impeachment trials can be found here.