NATION IN BRIEF : TEXAS : Judge Cleared of Bias in Murder Sentence

A judge who called two murder victims “queers” and said he considered their homosexuality a mitigating factor in sentencing their killer was cleared of bias charges by a special master. The master, appointed to make findings in the case, said Judge Jack Hampton violated judicial code by commenting on a pending case, but rejected allegations of bias. The Dallas Gay Alliance reacted angrily. Hampton sentenced Richard Lee Bednarski, 18, to 30 years in prison but could have given him life. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct is expected to review the finding.