Texas AG Ruling May End Willingham Probe
The Texas Forensic Science Commission’s investigation of the science used to convict Cameron Todd Willingham — executed in 2004 for an arson that killed his three children — may be at an end after the state’s top attorney Friday ruled that the panel cannot consider evidence in cases older than 2005.
Attorney General Greg Abbott’s ruling is the latest development in the years-long controversy over the commission’s handling of the high-profile case. Advocates on both sides of the issue claimed the ruling as a victory, though it does narrow the scope of what the commission is allowed to ...
Comments (13)
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wow they are really cleaning house for Perry's announcement aren't they.
Gary Skaggs via Texas Tribune on Facebook
IOKIYAR
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I guess this is why he drug his feet. Had to tie up loose ends. Shred documents, close investigations ...
Bill Carson
Let's get all the dirt swept under the rug before Ricky runs for Prez.
Victoria Hammond via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Outrageous - but not surprising.....
Bob Brown via Texas Tribune on Facebook
There are enough people with memories that will come out and outside of Texas their voice will be heard. We have a bit of a dead zone here, present company excluded of course.
John Reiser via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Greg Abbott is an ambitious worm.
Marcus Aguilar via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I guess Rick found his Luca Brasi.
Charles Peckham via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just goes to show that this AG and his ilk are not the pro-life Christians they claim to be. Hyper-technical opinion that the Texas Forensic Commission does not have this authority. That means it falls back on every prosecutor and county to review these cases to ensure justice was properly performed. It sure seems like a swipe in the face to allow crooked science and paid testimony to support sending potential innocents to jail, or worse, to death. As a pro-life supporter, I don't know what to think about Abbott now, but it calls in to question his true values.
Frances Demps via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This is beyond crooked. It's a new level of deviousness. I have a prayer request for Perry's shindig on August 6: Pray that the truth will come out about the Willingham case, despite all the behnid-the-scenes scheming. Beyond shameful!
Frances Demps via Texas Tribune on Facebook
...And the sad part is, whatever office Abbott runs for he will be elected because he'll have an 'R' after his name. And for the record, I vote for Democrats and Republicans. I vote for the person, not the party.
Ian Reid
It's my understanding that this case grew out of the Hurst report, that now-famous report that had been submitted to the governor's office. Hurst raised serious questions about the validity of the arson testimony at the time of trial but his report was dismissed by Perry prior to the execution of Willingham.
It's easy to understand why the governor failed to appreciate its import at the time and easy to accept his failing. The politics of the death penalty came into play and he thought he was simply dealing with more politics at that time.
But he wasn't. He was dealing with new science that happened to interfere with his politics. When the new science in the Hurst report was re-incarnated as the Beyler report and presented to the FSC we would have expected a reasonable and socially responsible individual to accommodate to the new science. Perry, however, went on the offensive, engaged in denial, and attempted to dismiss the so-called "modern science" (with his fingers wagging).
He then be-headed the forensic science commission and appointed his own man in an effort to derail the work of the commission.
It's my understanding that even before appointing Bradley to be chairman of the commission, Perry had attempted to steer the FSC away from the Willingham case. This had prompted Sam Bassett to raise the question of the legislature's intent.
Yes, the investigation of this case was consistent with the intent of the law makers. Why would it not be? Who would not support the refinement of forensic evidence and the correction of errors as they might occur in the process of administering justice?
Perry, that's who, with a little help from his friends, John Bradley and Greg Abbott.
I call this obstruction of justice. What remains to be learned is just how active Perry has been in this process, how much he has attempted to deceive us and to obscure the truth.
I will sincerely appreciate it if you would take the lead in answering these questions. I will be happy to support your efforts.
Dale H Curry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
@ Frances Demps - Yes it is sad that for the interim he will be elected. However, with the coming majority, TX will be a Democratic state in the next 10 years, perhaps sooner if the Legislature meets.