Travis County Judge Karen Sage has granted state prosecutors a stay in the tampering trial of former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and former county prosecutor Jason Nassour. The decision effectively pauses the trial, leaving its resumption date uncertain.

Chody and Nassour are facing charges of tampering with evidence in relation to the in-custody death of Javier Ambler in 2019. However, according to court documents, parts of the indictment cannot be prosecuted by the state due to being preempted by federal law.

The state had previously appealed the judge's decision to deny a stay, arguing that they were looking forward to a full and fair trial. However, the prosecution stated on Thursday that they are unable to proceed with the case at this time. The sudden turn of events left one of the defense attorneys labeling the situation as "chaos."

In response to the stay being granted, Judge Sage informed the jury that they were excused from their service until the matter is resolved. Unfortunately, she also expressed uncertainty regarding when that resolution might occur.

Both the prosecution and defense declined to comment after the events on Thursday. To provide an outside perspective on the situation, local Austin attorney Logan Campbell, who is not involved in the case, noted that although stays during trials are uncommon, they are not unheard of, especially in high-profile cases like this one.

With the trial now in limbo pending the appellate court's decision, the timeline for completion remains uncertain. Campbell emphasized the logistical challenges that arise from such circumstances, especially in terms of coordinating witnesses' availability and readiness.

The developments on Thursday left more questions than answers. Jurors were sent home, and numerous state witnesses were instructed to wait until the appeals court reaches a decision. Campbell aptly described the situation as a "logistical nightmare."

One thing remains certain amidst the uncertainty: the trial is at a standstill, and it is unclear when it will resume. As the legal process continues, the fate of Chody and Nassour hangs in the balance.

It is worth noting that two former Williamson County Sheriff's deputies who were previously tried in connection with Ambler's death were acquitted in March.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as new information emerges.

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