If you haven’t heard of Cameron Todd Willingham, you haven’t heard of the one man who is believed to have been executed by the state of Texas when he was actually innocent of the charges against him. Why was the death penalty doled out in a case where the guilt of the defendant was questionable, at best? Because he was convicted using flawed scientific practices and the system did nothing, at the time, to discredit such practices. [Read more…]
Former Dallas Crime Lab Worker Campaigns for an Audit
Dr. Chris Nulf worked for the Dallas County Crime lab for a little over a year. In that time, he says he saw inconsistent practices and poor evidence handling procedures. He sent anonymous complaints to the Texas Forensic Sciences Commission while he was employed there and continues to speak out today. But nothing has been done and the Dallas lab remains one that hasn’t come under review by the commission to date. [Read more…]
Another Wrongful Murder Conviction In Texas?
In 1987 Michael Morton was convicted of murder in the beating death of his wife and sentenced to life in prison. A court filing this week contends he is innocent and asks for an investigation into new evidence. Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley is opposed to the filing, however, not so much in what it’s asking for, but how it’s worded. [Read more…]
Closing a Prison: A Texas First
A 102 year old prison will soon be closed, marking the first time the state of Texas has shut down such a facility and signaling a shift in priorities being seen across the state and the entire country. Out of all places to close a prison, Texas would be the last. But the Central Unit at Sugar Land plans to be empty by the end of the month. [Read more…]
Are School Suspensions an Indication of Future Criminality?
A new study commissioned by the Council of State Governments Justice Center has revealed startling numbers when it comes to Texas children and suspension from school. The study, called Breaking Schools’ Rules, found that of 1 million students tracked over a period of six years, 60% were suspended or expelled at least one time. [Read more…]
SWIFT Program Designed Brings Quick Penalties to Errant Probationers
A new program is being kicked off in one Tarrant County courtroom. District Court Judge Mollee Westfall is hoping she can steer probationers towards success rather than prison through quick and intensive penalties for even “minor” violations. The program began in Hawaii where it had positive effects, effects Westfall is hoping to recreate. [Read more…]
Lawmakers Change Police Photo Lineup Procedures
Early last month we blogged about pending legislation regarding the photo lineup procedures practiced by law enforcement departments across the state. That legislation passed and now Texas police departments have to revamp the way they’ve done lineups for years, all in an effort to reduce the number of innocent people being identified by witnesses. [Read more…]
In Austin, Public Intoxication Charges Often Filed, Often Dismissed
It’s one of those discretionary charges, one that police are empowered to enforce when they see fit, and one that’s “ripe for abuse” according to the Austin Chronicle. There are thousands of public intoxication (PI) arrests in Austin every single year, most of them originate in the Downtown Entertainment District. But many of those thousands of charges are ultimately dropped and many result in complaints against the officer who brought them. [Read more…]
Texas Legislation to Ban TSA Pat-Downs Dies
Governor Rick Perry gained some support from citizens and some ire from the federal government when he introduced legislation that would have made it a crime for airport officials to conduct invasive pat downs in Texas airports. Unfortunately for him and all those who were hoping to see the law come to fruition, it died before legislators had the chance to approve it this week. [Read more…]
Texas Passes Sexting Reform
As of September 1, “Sexting”, or sending sexually explicit images between consensual minors will only be a misdemeanor offense at worst, and no longer subject to felony sex offender status. [Read more…]
