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HARRISBURG - House Democrats on Tuesday walked out of a legislative hearing on a measure to impeach Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane, with one calling it a kangaroo court.

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, a conservative Republican from Butler County, called for the proceeding, saying Kane had exhibited "misbehavior" in office.

But Democrats said the State Government Committee hearing was little more than a political stunt by Metcalfe, the committee chairman, to embarrass the Democratic attorney general.

"Have your kangaroo court, pal," Rep. Michael H. O'Brien (D., Phila.) told Metcalfe on his way out the door.

Among the examples Metcalfe has given of alleged misbehavior: Kane's decision not to defend the state's gay marriage ban, and her decision to shut down a sting investigation that caught five Philadelphia Democrats, including four state lawmakers, on recordings accepting money or gifts.

Democrats said the proceeding was not only politically motivated but circumvented the normal process for impeachment hearings, which are rare in the Capitol.

Minutes after the hearing began, the committee's ranking Democrat, Rep. Mark Cohen (D., Phila.), asked that it be canceled.

"Impeaching for political reasons is never a good idea," Cohen said. "Using this committee and this legislature to settle political grievances is even worse."

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Democrats walk out of hearing on impeaching Kane