Former Morton Prosecutor Denies Wrongdoing in Case
GEORGETOWN — Former prosecutor Ken Anderson said on Wednesday that he feels sick over Michael Morton's wrongful conviction and the 25 years Morton spent in prison. But Anderson strenuously denied allegations that he intentionally withheld information that could have prevented the conviction and stopped Christine Morton's real murderer from killing again.
"In my heart, I know there was no misconduct whatsoever," Anderson said to a crowd of reporters and television cameras gathered outside the Williamson County courthouse, where he now serves as a state district judge.
Anderson was the Williamson County district attorney and prosecuted Michael Morton for murder ...
Comments (13)
Donald Dickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'm reminded of a Don Imus quip: "I watched the State of the Union Address last night, but when it became clear he wasn't going to resign, I switched to the basketball game."
Donna Rene Johnston via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Wow. Ken Anderson has a heart? Go figure....
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What a POS!!!
Lisa Conn
Ken Anderson doesn't feel bad enough to resign or even really apologize. Apologizing means accepting and acknowledging wrong doing. He did neither.
Wilco Watchdog via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Mr. Anderson was also at a huge loss for words when reporters pressed him to answer questions about the evidence that was withheld in the trial and resorted to the "I don't recall" reply. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bradley have both done a great disservice to the justice system and created a huge embarrassment for Williamson County.
WUSRPH
We may be sorry now...but you can be certain he bragged about it at his next re-election race and cited it as part of his conviction record and "get tough on crime" position....After all, all that counted was that someone was convicted.
Robert McCausland
"...the judge in the town's got bloodstains on his hands..." And the word "Honorable" still precedes his name and that of the D.A. who for six years fought DNA testing! DNA testing must be mandated for all DNA evidence!
K Johnson
There was much more to this press conference than has been reported, as was obvious to those who were there and who are fully knowledgeable about the details of the case. A full analysis will be published on Thursday morning at http://www.wilcowatchdog.org
Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's called prosecutorial misconduct and malfeasance...
Cynthia Tannehill Faulk Ryland via Texas Tribune on Facebook
An innocent man spent 25 yrs in jail. THAT's wrongdoing in spades...
Dale Curry
"Anderson said he didn't remember everything that transpired a quarter century ago but that he was sure he did not intentionally withhold information. He said he wouldn't have prosecuted Morton if he hadn't been convinced of his guilt." WOW! What a douche bag. This pathetic excuse for a judge/prosecutor, an officer of the court, deliberately conspired and withheld information that lead to this massive miscarriage of justice and frankly, to the death of another woman.
"The system failed," he said. "We got it wrong. That's just something I'm going to have to deal with." He has to "deal" with it, while Mr. Morton was denied his freedom, was not there for his child as he grew up, and his corrupt prosecution of this man, his conspiracy to deny evidence to the defense left an innocent man incarcerated for 25 years and allowed the murderer to kill again.
Anderson your pathetic and disgusting. Do something ethical for a change, RESIGN! You are an embarrassment to Williamson County, the State of Texas, and the justice system. While perfect criteria for a Perry appointee, it is NOT the qualities we need for a judge.
Anderson said he is anguished over the Morton case and that his "hope and prayer" is that Morton will be able to move on with his life. How callous can you be, Anderson? Is this your concept of an apology?
She was disappointed to hear that Anderson isn't holding himself accountable for Morton's wrongful conviction or her mother's death. Well the good news in this regard, is the good people of Williamson County will hold him and Bradley accountable next election.
Anderson and Bradley are both liars and corrupt officers of the court. They both need to be removed from office and brought up on charges.
phillip baker
There's nothing to add really to the above comments. For me, I will focus on the State Bar and what they do. They have a long and ignominious history of failing in their duties as the regulatory agency for the legal profession. Nothing short of a revocation of his law license will be adequate. And I think Bradley in the end will be shown almost equally culpable because of his ongoing attempts at coverup.
This happens all over Texas, folks. This is hardly the first time a DA obsessed with his conviction stats has wrongfully convicted defendants. it's just gotten to be a high profile story and people pay attention. The immunity of DA's to so abuse the law and their own oaths must be curbed.
And as to those elections? The folks in Wilco bear some responsibility. They had to know that Anderson and then Bradley bent, twisted, and even broke the law "to keep us safe". Step up, citizens of Wilco, and redeem yourselves. Show the world you have seen the ugly results of those tactics you've winked at all these years and will make it stop.
Claud Henry Smoot
I think I've heard this one before:
"I didn't kill him, the gun (the system) just went off."
A WilCo DA is the system.