Te'iva Bell

Te'iva Bell, a Harris County, Texas Criminal District Court judge, was ordered off the manslaughter case of Kristina Chambers — accused in the 2023 death of Joseph McMullin, who died following a crash after a first date — after prosecutors raised concerns that Bell had improperly communicated with the defense. Assistant District Attorney Michael Hanover testified that defense attorney Thiessen met privately with Bell after a November court proceeding had wrapped up, after Thiessen had stepped out to speak with McMullin's family.

Following a hearing, retired judge Christi Kennedy — brought in to decide the disqualification motion — granted the recusal, citing her review of court records and the arguments presented, though she did not elaborate at length on her reasoning. McMullin's friends and family, who had attended every court appearance in the case, observed the hearing.