Ex Morton Prosecutor Loses Testimony Fight
Updated 11:50 p.m. 10/26/11
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals late today denied a request from former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson to keep him from providing testimony in an investigation of whether his office intentionally hid information that could have prevented the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton.
The justices denied Anderson's motion without a written order.
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Updated 1:15 p.m. 10/26/11
Lawyers for Michael Morton, the state's most recent DNA exoneree, urged the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today to reject pleas from former Williamson County District Attorney ...
Comments (17)
Connie Dees via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Really? Am I reading this wrong? You withhold evidence and then ask to stop a misconduct investigation. Someone needs to explain to me why this is okay. I must be missing something.
Jake Lorfing via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What an outrage: "...Anderson's attorney pleaded with the court, "Such discovery requests offend traditional sense of American jurisprudence and are fundamentally unfair to the deponent and serve no legitimate purpose under [the law]." No, justice demands a full hearing on the travesty that occurred here...
Stanley Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What gall!
Kelley Masters via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Do they give a thought to Debra Masters Baker when they go to sleep at night? Her blood is on their hands and they act as if they are the victims.
Adam Loewy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Morton has very capable lawyers but they really need to end this dog and pony show on the state level, and just file a Federal 1983 action against WilCo, Andersen, Bradley et al. They will get discovery in Fed Court. Further, WDTX AG Pittman needs to open a Federal CRIMINAL investigatio into this tragedy.
Thomas Prentice via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I am beginning to think that prosecutorial misconduct is the norm...just as Enron, Rupert, Madoff, Lehmann Brothers, AIG, are the norm in Cartel Capitalism -- not egregious exceptions ; )
A. Bryant
Anderson is grasping at straws as well as D.A. Bradley - so this is the way to make it to the top?
It is my understanding that D.A.'s and attorneys are supposed to seek "justice". Both men should be in prison for life with no chance of parole. I wonder how many innocent men and women they sent to prison for life, or; received the death penalty. It figures that Perry appointed Bradley; birds of a feather flock together... like turkeys. Time to empty the cess pool.
Samdavis
Amen to life in prison for both crooks. Why hasn't Perry done the right thing and asked, or forced, Bradley to step down from the Forensics Commission?
Gregory S Windham via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just another day in the world of Williamson County.
Dale H Curry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Obviously, prosecutorial misconduct is the norm in Wilco. "Mark Dietz, called the efforts of Morton's lawyers to get Anderson to testify 'an undue burden' that 'causes unnecessary expense, is brought for harassment, annoyance ... and as a fishing expedition for possible future litigation.' - Why? Because in Williamson County and for "Judge" (laughable) Anderson, the truth and justice represents an undue burden. Now why am I NOT surprised this sleazy judge and the sleazy DA were Perry appointees...........
Adam Russell
The bottom line is the judge should face the fire. If his actions led to a man losing 25 years of his life, the least the judge, or any sensibly empathetic human being could do is face questions and criticism, answer honestly and move on. He can't give the years back but he could be honest about his motives. If he did admit misconduct and talked openly about the pressure prosecutors are under to get convictions, it might shed some light on how fallible the justice system can be.
dormand long
The practice of withholding exculpatory evidence in a criminal justice trial is among the most repulsive actions that is possible in a civilized society.
A prosecuter who is proven beyond any reasonable doubt to have committed such an act should be not only disbarred, but should also be incarcerated for a year for his/her egregious action.
Only then would juries vote with a clear conscience knowing that the accused has received his full rights.
James Cerullo
Anderson should be hung. Forcing a human being to serve 25 years in prison because you wanted to win the case even though you had proof he didn't do it is worse than murder. I'll help with the knot.
Too many Texans are evil bastards.
Andy Welch via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I have known Ken Anderson since he began his political career as Williamson County Attorney, moving on to District Attorney and now, District Judge. Our sons have attended school together. Judge Anderson has been active in our Scout Troop, teaching Citizenship Merit Badge classes. Please, Judge Anderson, please quit trying to thwart a legal system that you've taught others to believe in...
A. Bryant
Judge Ken Anderson and D.A. Bradley should resign for the filthy tricks they play with an innocent persons life. Get a pair and face up to what you have done to Gwad only knows how many innocent people while the real assailants runs free to kill more!
Figures, they were appointed by gov. Dickie who is just like them, all cronies of the same kind. I would like to see all their previous cases opened up as well. How long has this been going on? No telling how many innocent men and women they sent to prison - or murdered - good example of how our UN-Justice system works; encourged by Supercutsperry by setting the highest number executions just during his term alone than all other states and the two highest executions states - combined! "He who kills a man shall be put to death." Forget your religious c___ Dick! You are not fooling anybody and you should all three burn in hell, but, I will settle for all three of you going to prison for life with no hope of parole and lose all your greedy made money, house, and cars - you too crybaby Anita.
Max Sped
District Attorneys must learn to accept:
(1) They are not God – they do NOT even set on the right-hand side of the throne.
(2) Their primary goal is Justice NOT Winning.
Although it is impossible to trust the Texas Legislature, we should insist they pass a special District Attorney Law making District Attorneys culpable for their malfeasance while in office.
Nirav Patel
Just tell the truth and see what happens.