Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Judges Question State's Efforts to Stymie DNA Tests

by Brandi Grissom
May 2, 2012
8 Comments

Sensitive to dozens of DNA exonerations in recent years, judges on the nine-member Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today grilled the Texas solicitor general about what harm could be done by granting death row inmate Hank Skinner's decade-old request for biological analysis of crime scene evidence.

"You really ought to be absolutely sure before you strap a person down and kill him," Judge Michael Keasler said.

Oral arguments in the hearing wrapped up today. It could take weeks or months for the court to render a decision on whether to allow DNA testing in the case.

Skinner, now 50 ...

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Comments (8)

May 2, 2012 @ 4:39 p.m.

Burke Watson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

That there judge sounds like a dadgum liberal.
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May 2, 2012 @ 4:41 p.m.

Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook

DNA testing in TX??? We don't do no DNA testing here!
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May 2, 2012 @ 4:53 p.m.

Rick Scott McGuckin via Texas Tribune on Facebook

fact is DAs want to keep a Win a Win and not have to open old cases, regardless if they convicted the wrong man or not.
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May 2, 2012 @ 4:54 p.m.

Sherry Hightower via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I support the Death Penalty however I also support the testing of DNA evidence to confirm in each case. Especially if the conviction in any way was connected to the Houston Crime Lab. As an act of humanity and in the interest of erring on the side of the innocent, if there is a chance to test DNA, it should BY LAW be required.
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May 2, 2012 @ 5:16 p.m.

Donald Dickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Sounds like the Texas Court of CrAp is experiencing an epiphany. Better late than never.
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May 2, 2012 @ 5:57 p.m.

Jim Hsu via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Doesn't "Git a rope" resonate anymore in Texas? All this Libburrl mumbo jumbo about DNA and justice is getting in the way of killing more people.
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May 2, 2012 @ 6:54 p.m.

Hollis Morton via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Law enforcement is comprised of gang members. Even the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct in Austin will okay a corrupt judges actions. The court room documents expose the corruption. http://hm21.wordpress.com
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May 7, 2012 @ 10:27 a.m.

gypsy314 ne

how did the DNA get there??
Anyone but Obama and liar democrats!