Gov. Abbott promises to talk about assassination attempt

AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott sidestep questions about the attack after he announced a conditional appointment to the Texas Supreme Court.

He picked Texas General Counsel Jimmy Blacklock to replace current Justice Don Willett on the State High Court. The selection comes with a catch. Willett must first be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The gathering Monday at state GOP headquarters was the first chance for Gov. Greg Abbott to talk about the assassination attempt since the information about it became public over the holiday.

Court documents obtained by FOX 7 reveal that FBI agents told a federal judge in Houston that a package was mailed to the governor back in Oct. of 2016. Explosives were put into a cigarette box and delivered to the Governor’s Mansion.

Typically mail to the governor is processed in a state office building near the state capitol. Federal investigators said the package made it into the hands of the governor and he actually opened it. The bomb failed to explode because the governor didn't open it as designed. Had it gone off - analysts said it could have caused severe burns and death. The package was traced back to a woman identified as Julia Poff who is from Sealy.

Abbott, investigators claim, was targeted because at one time he was the State Attorney General. Poff, was allegedly upset because she had failed to receive support payments form her ex-husband. The AG's office helps families recover unpaid money that’s due to them. The governor, Monday, had little to say about the incident.

"Listen I’m going to be happy, and I feel obligated, to speak to you all about this matter at the appropriate time, as you know this is an ongoing criminal issue and until the criminal issue is concluded its best I don’t speak about it,” said Gov. Abbott.

The last time security at the Governor's Mansion was breached involved the firebombing attack in 2008. The individual responsible for that attack has never been identified. Major upgrades to security cameras were made at the Governor's Mansion after the attack. Officials at DPS declined to comment about whether or not the package was screened before being given to the governor. It’s also not known if any of the security staff were disciplined because of the incident.
          
Julia Poff is also accused of sending explosive devices to President Barack Obama and the head of the Social Security Administration. She is considered a flight risk and is being held without bond.  Motions regarding bond are due to be filed by Wednesday. A Pre-Trail Conference is set for Jan. 2. with a jury trial scheduled the following week. Along with the bomb charges, Poff was also  indicted for trying to obtain Federal SNAP benefits by Fraud and for making a False Bankruptcy declaration. She faces up to 20 years in prison.