When Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig Schwall visited Atlanta attorney Claud “Tex” McIver at the county jail where McIver—charged with the murder of his wife—was being held without bond, Schwall told him, “Hey, man, I'm with you 1,000 percent,” a county prosecutor says.

Following that recorded conversation with the judge, McIver met with the mother of his godson, Schwall's ex-wife, Anne Schwall, Assistant District Attorney Clint Rucker said at McIver's arraignment on Tuesday. McIver was recorded telling her, “Listen, I don't want to use any names but my godson's father, I need you to contact him. All he needs to do is make a phone call and then I can be out of here the next day,” Rucker said.

He told Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, who is presiding over McIver's prosecution, that the problem that conversation creates is an appearance, through Mr. McIver's influence, that he is able to affect the system. He is able to manipulate the fair administration of justice. It was quite concerning.”