Officials recently released documents detailing a “threat” investigation against a Burnet County justice of the peace, which authorities determined did not rise to the level of a crime.
Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Lisa Whitehead faced the inquiry in October 2023 after reports surfaced by another justice of the peace and a court bailiff of an alleged threat that “she wanted to kill James Oakley,” according to the incident report.
Whitehead offered a statement on Jan. 8 to The Highlander about the probe. “At no point was I a threat to James Oakley.
"I felt threatened every day I went to my office. I filed a complaint and he was investigated by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct for, among other things, his behavior towards me over a two-year period,” she stated. “The Commission found that his behavior was unacceptable and he was publicly reprimanded.”
Documents show that on Oct. 3, 2023 an investigation into a complaint by Whitehead to the commission was concluded.
The reprimand was issued over a year later, following Oakley’s appearance before the commission Dec. 3, 2024 to provide responses to the allegations.
Oakley resigned in December, effective Jan. 2, in the wake of the commission's public reprimand and a subsequent probe by the county attorney's office. In the county attorney's office probe, Whitehead and at least two county employees alleged sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.
In his resignation letter, Oakley wrote: “In recent years, the extreme lack of civility in public discourse has caused me to reevaluate how I want to spend my day-to-day life … My priorities are to protect my health/ safety and that of my wife & family.”
Oakley explained that his resignation letter reflected his motive.
“My reference to personal safety was based on the fact that I had been the subject of two separate death threats within a year that were made inside the courthouse,” he said in a Jan. 9 statement. “Yes, as noted in my resignation letter, the public discourse in civility was a complete distraction and disruption to taking care of county business.”
One alleged threat involved a citizen who spoke at a September 2023 Burnet County Commissioners Court meeting. An incident report was created by the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, at that time, after the citizen stated: “If Oakley steps into my no-fly zone, I will kill him.”
That incident, the conflict which ensued between him and Whitehead as well as the commission’s reprimand, colored his decision about serving in public office.
“My wife and I had already made the decision to not run next year for another term,” Oakley said. “As I was already eligible for retirement, we made the decision to simplify life a little earlier.”
The recently-released detailed Burnet County Sheriff’s Office report from 2023 about the allegation against Whitehead offered a clearer picture of the contention among the county leaders.
The first report surfaced accusing Whitehead of making alleged threatening statements about Oakley on Oct. 11, 2023 by a bailiff and another justice of the peace.
Assigned on Oct. 31, 2023, BCSO Investigator Chris King interviewed Oakley, Whitehead, Oakley, Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Roxanne Nelson and Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Debbie Bindseil as well as referred to an initial report (Oct. 11, 2023) taken by Burnet County Sheriff’s Office lead bailiff Sgt. Amy Willeke.
“He (Oakley) advised me that he heard that Judge Roxane [sic] Nelson had reported to Sgt. Amy Willeke that she had been exposed to more than one occasion where Whitehead had patted her purse, which was known to have a pistol in it and stated it was reported it was a ‘Judge revolver’, Oakley stated that she stated that Roxane [sic] heard something to that affect [sic] that she was going to kill him or is going to kill Oakley,” King wrote in his report. “He advised that it happen [sic] more than once and he only heard about it informally.”
A dispute between Whitehead and Oakley about keeping her courtroom locked came to a head.
“I asked Oakley if he has had any contact with her since then and he stated ‘no, he avoids her.’ Nothing directly. I asked Oakley how he felt about her at this time and if he felt threatened by her,” King wrote. “Oakley stated that he never wants to under estimate [sic] someone because he is a trusting person.
“He stated that he would not expect her to do something rash like that but why would you say it. He stated that he doesn’t know what will make someone snap and that he was disturbed that she would say that.”
Oakley told the investigator he believed Whitehead’s behavior was unacceptable.
“He stated he didn’t know what the repercussion’s [sic] of her actions are but 'am I running scared thinking that she is really gonna shoot me, no, I don’t think were [sic] there’,” King wrote. “I advised Oakley that we just wanted to make sure that we looked into everything to make sure this is not a serious threat. He just advised me that he just didn’t think what she has done was acceptable behavior.”
Another justice of the peace was asked by the investigator to weigh in on the allegation.
“She (Bindseil) stated that Whitehead did appear stressed about the whole ordeal about the courtroom and the issues with Oakley and did mention that she would defend herself if it came to it. But no direct threats about him,” the document stated. “She stated that she was just concerned for Whitehead because of how much stress she is dealing with. Bindseil advised me that she did not feel concerned that Whitehead would do anything to Oakley intentionally.”
Ultimately, Whitehead’s own statements to the investigator played a role in the outcome.
“She (Whitehead) advised me that she has been scared of what Oakley has done to her in the past like sitting in the courtroom in the dark and other things,” King wrote. “She stated that she has been seeking help by talking with people and her pastor about her concerns. She advised me that she has been feeling better about the whole issue and hopes to continue to be able to be comfortable at work again.
“I asked about saying things like she would kill Oakley and if she said anything to that extent. Whitehead advised she never said she wanted to kill Oakley,” King wrote.
“She stated that she has told people that she does carry a gun and that if he came after her then she would protect herself in any way needed.”
Oakley contended that he attempted to steer clear of confrontation.
“I did my best to completely avoid her,” he told The Highlander. “I’m not aware of motives other than generally they seem to justify one’s actions if they snap.”
Oakley added that he received an outpouring of support following his decision to resign.
“I had and am still receiving many supportive outreaches from friends and professional acquaintances that recognize and commend the accomplishments of the last 10 years,” Oakley said. “They all resonate with the value of quality of life and that public life has its pitfalls.”
In connection with the probe into Whitehead’s alleged remarks, the BCSO investigator concluded, “This case will be closed due to no criminal offense at this time.”
