DNA Implicates Another Man in 25-Year-Old Murder Case
New DNA test results in a 25-year-old murder case show that another man, not Michael Morton, likely killed Christine Morton, who was found dead in her Williamson County home on Aug. 13, 1986, Morton's attorneys say. The attorneys have also asked a court to recuse John Bradley, the Williamson County district attorney and former chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, from the case, saying that for years he didn't release evidence he knew could prove Morton, 57, did not murder his wife.
“It’s clear from the new DNA testing and other suppressed, exculpatory documents that law ...
Comments (20)
Gilles D. Winterhuder via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas, shame on you!
Victoria Hammond via Texas Tribune on Facebook
One more cover up -- Bradley will fight it to the end. Sad.
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I wonder where the three year old son is today. This is so sad.
Rodney Marsden via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Someone needs to bring charges up on Bradley!!!!!!
Elizabeth L. Handlin via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If this is true John Bradley should go to prison. That is just criminal.
Glenda Hawthorne
Sounds to me like Bradley, himself, is a criminal and should be prosecuted.
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If its true that John Bradley withheld evidence and/or failed to follow leads - he should be prosecuted and sent to prison.
Melinda Weaver via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Go to the Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the State Bar of Texas to make a cplaint
Melinda Weaver via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Complaint against an attorney
Wilkins Micawber
John Bradley should be breaking rocks in prison, getting to know his new husbands.
Dale H Curry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Is there no Code of Conduct for Prosecutors? How can we have faith in our justice system when Prosecutors, corrupt with their power, not only obstruct the truth but also justice in a partisan pay off the abject failure that is Rick Perry. It is clear, Williamson County has less a District Attorney, and more a Grand Inquisitor. ONe who views his position above the law and above the citizens of the County. THANK GOD I DO NOT LIVE THERE!
Bea McGuire via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I guess old habits are hard to break. In my lifetime, Texas has always had a "don't care if they did it or not, just as long SOMEONE pays" attitude and reputation. Hope it comes to an end soon.
phillip baker
Agree with you all- Bradley should be sanctioned for his criminal failure to disclose evidence. This is yet another example of why Texas needs to curb the power of DA's. They enjoy absolute immunity from anything they do as DA while in office. I know a case where the DA and county sheriff conspired to coerce a plea agreement- by refusing further medical care to a desperately ill man. By forcing this plea they got around state laws on sentencing. Look at the Willingham case. That DA still refuses to acknowledge the science was wrong that led to an innocent man being killed.
But in a state where even the highest courts of appeal are known to bend rulings to fit prevailing politics, don't hold your breath for reform anytime soon. Just remember, they are ALL politicians- DA',s judges, etc. Most people do not pay attention to those elections. Clearly we all should.
Rick Scott McGuckin via Texas Tribune on Facebook
john bradley is apparently a ruthless prosecutor who is more worried abouts Wins than actual Justice, in my opinion :P
Tom Sweazea via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Morton is lucky he wasn't put to death over this. Time to end the DP in Texas.
Del Murphy
Science isn't something of significance to the Bradley brothers, the scoundrel in Williamson county or the SBOE idiot from Jasper.
Annette Bryant
Charges against BRADLY! Another innocent man almost murdered by the State of Texas again because of shoddy D.A.'s and Attorneys. He and other DA's and attorney's need to learn they are NOT above the law!
Our Un-Justice system is bad need of repair and Gov. Perry, Atty. General Maddox, and Atty. General Abbott have led the way. Gov. Perry has had for more inmates put to death during his tern than all of the other states put together!
Over 260+ INNOCENT inmates have been put to death! This has been discovered just since DNA test went into effect and false witnessing. Tx. Criminal Justice System and the Tx. Board of Pardons and Paroles are badly in need of repair. I have heard (also read on the Internet) Retired Parole Officers telling horrible stories of inadequacy and bad methods of making decisions on paroles and pardons.
phillip baker
But the issue is precisely that prosecutors ARE immune from accountability for actions taken in office, even those that brazenly break the law. That needs to change. And clearly our oversight system for the death penalty- and for almost all crimes- is deeply flawed. The Governor - when somebody like Perry- NEVER pardons. The Board also rarely pardons. These are political positions, almost patronage posts, and the holders are definitely beholden to who appointed them. Texas needs a thorough top to bottom reform and cleaning of its entire criminal justice system. Yes, most of those convicted are guilty. No doubt about that. But we hand out draconian sentences like they are nothing. And check and balances in the system barely work. The result is we spend far too much money on prisons with far too little bank for the buck.
Kerry Brix
John Bradley has no decency. He is a threat to our rule of law. He should be investigated and indicted if his actions are clearly proven unlawful. At the least, he should be held for civil liabilities. If news accounts are true, he has intentionally obstructed justice for an extended time. His biased behavior at the expense of an innocent man is dispicable if not criminal. Why does Williamson County citizens tolerate a corrupt bum heading the DA's office.
A. Bryant
I guess Bradley sleeps just fine at night not caring that he is responseable for an innocent man sitting on death row for 24+ years plus and could have been murdered by the state of Texas by now. No telling how many others he has done this to as well as other District Attorneys, Attorneys, Police Officers. Too many inmates who have been begging for years for DNA test are not getting them - is it because the D.A.', Judges, Attorneys, Tx. Board of Paroles and Pardons, do not want to admit they made a mistate (on purpose) for a quick and easy trial, reputation, position, and $$$$$$$'s! These people need to be punished when they knowingly hide evidence. We need to state with PrettyHair - stop all your empty prayers and pray that Gawd will forgive you for the murder of more inmates during your term than any other gov. in the United States! Next, repair the TX. Criminal Un-Justice System, the guards who take out their hate of their jobs on inmates, Administrators who lie in the Ombudsman's office, D.A.'s and attorneys. They should pay for their crimes just like citizens do. Our system is BROKEN!