Hostile debate on the timing of an application meant to secure grant money for a proposed public defender’s office Tuesday led to the item’s death on the Hays County Commissioners Court dais.

The lack of action, however, followed terse bickering among county leaders and officials, which some felt was propagated by a lack of information provided by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and his staff.

County and district court judges voiced concerns over the application coming to court Tuesd...