A federal appellate court judge, in a scathing dissent, accused the court of a First Amendment bias by damning sincere acts of political advocacy and coddling demonstrated acts of political corruption.

Judge James C. Ho of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a 15-page dissent late Wednesday after the court voted 10-6 against a rehearing of Gonzalez v. Mayor of Castle Hills.

Click here to read the judge's full dissent

Sylvia Gonzalez, a 72-year-old retiree was elected to the city council of Castle Hills, and at her first council meeting submitted a citizens' petition that she organized on the request of her constituents. The petition called for removal of the incumbent city manager, to be replaced by the prior city manager. The mayor was opposed to the move and a heated debate ensued.