Sam Bassett: The TT Interview
Sam Bassett, the former chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, has generally avoided commenting on why he believes Gov. Rick Perry unexpectedly replaced him as head of the panel in September 2009.
At the time, the commission was in the middle of its investigation into the arson for which Cameron Todd Willingham was convicted and, in 2004, executed. An independent expert hired by the panel had concluded that the investigation into the fatal fire was seriously flawed, even by the standards in place when he was convicted in 1992 (other outside experts have reached similar conclusions; the original state ...
Comments (3)
Meg Hare via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Incredible
Mark Farley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And the governor behind it is now running for prez. :-(
phillip baker
The fact that in Texas the criminal justice system is broken is a disgrace to our state and a national embarrassment. Our "justice" system is awash in all the same kinds of political activity of any other political system. We elect judges, making them politicians who must court certain voters for reelection. Same with DA's - whole so often pander to the media just as Bradley has done. Is there a DA in Texas who does not dream of ascending to a judgeship? But the evil result is that our system now is all about "process", with almost nobody even considering such issues as justice and fairness. The system has little integrity, and people know that. It's no wonder so many of us believe there is truly no real "justice" in Texas courts, only process. If you have a clever enough attorney ( and the money to pay), your chances are much improved. But for the vast majority it is just a crap shoot. Hence the prison tattoo "13 1/2" I judge, 12 jurors, and a halfa** chance at justice.
So, we must stop electing judges. There are alternative ways to fill the bench that minimizes the politics. Same with DA's. Finally we must enact legislation that strips DA's like Bradley of their absolute immunity for acts while in office. There is NO incentive for a DA to follow the rules, and no penalty if- like Bradley- a DA lies, conceals relevant evidence, buys testimony, coerces pleas, etc.