Ken Anderson's Testimony Caps Dramatic Inquiry
GEORGETOWN — Defiant, angry and frustrated, former prosecutor Ken Anderson took the stand on Friday to defend himself, ending a week of dramatic testimony in an unusual court of inquiry that is examining whether the former district attorney committed criminal misconduct during the trial that led to the wrongful murder conviction of Michael Morton.
Morton was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for his wife’s murder, and he spent nearly 25 years behind bars before DNA evidence led to his exoneration in 2011. Lawyers for the exoneree contend that Anderson deliberately withheld critical evidence that could have prevented Morton ...
Comments (21)
Proud Texan
1). It's hard to imagine that Anderson has spent any more money than Morton did to defend himself. Strike one.
2). Anderson, while having a difficult time over the past 18 months, still went home every night to his family and his own bed. Not one day in prison compared to Morton. He can't possibly relate to Morton's experience. Strike 2.
3). No personal responsibility. Only the "system" failed. Throw everyone under the bus to save your own skin?! Did he learn that from Lance Armstrong? Strike 3.
3 strikes you're out Mr. Anderson
Robert McCausland
It's hard to say it better than "Proud Texan." While watching Judge Anderson on the witness stand, I frequently wondered how many witnesses HE would have held in contempt of HIS COURT for such unconstrained outbursts and criticisms of the court itself. The fact that Judge Anderson and his lawyers completely deny that he was required to provide to Michael Morton's 1987 defense team such crucial evidence revealed to me his hypocracy and his DISREGARD FOR JUSTICE. And he completely omits from his BOGUS apologies for failures by "the system" in which HE was central in this case the fact that the real killer remained free to brutally kill again. Shame on Judge Anderson, and shame on any system that would allow him to get away with this. - Robert McCausland, Austin, TX
David Ferris
Regardless of Anderson's malfeasance or guilt, former prosecutor John Bradley failed to resign when he actively opposed efforts for Morton to establish innocence and to win release from wrongful imprisonment. That was immoral and shameful.
One cannot teach respect for law when one uses tactics we have seen in Williamson County. They continue to shame themselves and us.
If Anderson is charged and convicted, an appropriate sentence would be the exact same number of months his actions took from Morton. Anderson would learn what legal fees can be on appeal.
George townian
The use of the word awkward to describe Anderson's testimony is an understatement. Before the judge allowed for a break, Anderson was often making jokes with Hardin (or attempting to) to lighten the situation as Bradley appeared to do the day before, but Anderson's Snarky comments and attempt at humor were painfully uncomfortable and made the audience sigh and squirm.
Nichols asked for a break on a few occasions during the cross exam under the pretext of "it's becoming argumentative" but it wasn't granted until Sturnes decided it was time. It was clear that he received some coaching after the break and the awkward banter and joking stopped.
At one point during one of Nichol's objections, I think Anderson received the message that he had to tone it down and stop offering extra dialogue to each question. Nichols objections seemed more for Anderson to shut up than for truly objecting to Hardin's question. At one point Anderson made a joke during one of Nichol's objections that "he's annoyed with his client" or something like that.
Laura House via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Excellent reporting Brandi.
Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Malpractice...disbarment!
Carolyn Qualls via Texas Tribune on Facebook
needs to pay big for this malpractice
Butch Oliver via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'd think 25yrs in the cross-bars hotel, disbarment and no tax funded retirement would be just right.
Earlette Patton McMinn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I guess a lawyer who has spent the majority of his working life as a government employee, first as a prosecutor then as a judge, can't grasp the cost of self-employed lawyers representing the clients in his jurisdiction. Laughed out loud at his testimony that he had spent his life earnings on lawyers representing him! Wonder what he thinks Morton lost monetarily? And now has been reimbursed by the State of Texas? Directly at the hands of Anderson, whether he is gulty or innocent of malpractice. And that's ONLY monetarily, something that most people can empathize. The loss of wife, son, and 25 years of his life including the emotional and physical pain does not have a price than mere mortals can grasp. Anderson's testimony certainly doesn't reflect that HE does.
Earlette Patton McMinn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Have re-read the article and amend my original remarks re Anderson's grasp of Morton's total loss. It's the comparison of Anderson's 18-month ordeal to Morton' 25-year ordeal that struck me as containing a certain amount of triviality.
C.g. David via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Make Anderson payback all money that he has been paid for his government compensation. Who knows what else he has done.
Donna Escudero Price via Texas Tribune on Facebook
You again have done an amazing job on a story with so much pain for an innocent person. Amazing reporting and great writing Brandi! It's so sad that Anderson is still so clueless or maybe just a horrible person.
Ray Hatcher via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.
Ray Hatcher via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That is a quote from Teddy Roosevelt.
R J
Anderson, you have it coming to you and you see it coming and it scares you to death. Good. You hung Morton out to dry for your on convenience, expediency, self aggrandizement and, worst of all, just because you could get away with it. Now, it's time for the good people of the State of Texas to hang your scalp on the wall of shame nd throw your hide in prison.
Tim Hurst via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It appears Ken Anderson did in fact manipulate and castigate evidence (lie and withhold) just to get a conviction (of an innocent man). He should go to jail for this crime if proven.
Tommy Walker
Did Anderson offer any apology for convicting an innocent man? He did show any contrition? Any remorse? Disbarment from law practice is the least that should be done to him. His attitude infuriates me. I hope he gets blistered.
Marnie Tunay via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I'm really glad to see that the state of Texas is making an effort to address problems in its justice system, where the dice often seem to be loaded in favor of convictions.
Dormand Long
Today's New York Times has the op-ed "Why Police Lie Under Oath" which you may find to be
relevant:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/why-police-officers-lie-under-oath.html?pagewanted=2
Does any one else find this to be so incredibily far outside the bounds of acceptable behavior for any civilized society?
When one contemplates this behavior, combined with the placebo "education" of recent decades, perhaps is one explanation of the absolutely bizarre events of going postal that are a weekly event in the news.
The absolute arrogance of Ray Anderson, which has been reported in this TT report, is so reprehensible that it is bound to trigger outrage.
This Rick Perry appointee to a judgeship suggests that we have deep and compelling societal problems
nadine cruz
Now he knows what we as parents feel everyday for the unjustice that has been taking place for so long. We too have no money that we work hard for to help defend our children, and hire attorneys who dont even know their jobs and are continued to practice law. The law needs to change for attorneys who take peoples money and dont do their job to thier fullest.
Dale Curry
Disbar Anderson, remove him from his position as a Judge and pass legislation that will provide accountability and consequences in cases of Prosecutorial Misconduct.