Mark Norwood, accused of Christine Morton’s 1986 murder, pleaded unsuccessfully on Wednesday for the judge to appoint new lawyers for him, saying his current representation isn’t his “best bud.”
Brandi Grissom
Brandi Grissom worked at the Tribune from its launch in 2009 until 2014, rising to the rank of managing editor. In addition to editing duties, Grissom led the Tribune's coverage of criminal justice issues. During her tenure at the Tribune, she was chosen as a 2012 City University of New York Center on Media, Crime and Justice/H.F. Guggenheim Journalism Fellow and was a fellow at the 2012 Journalist Law School at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Grissom, along with Tribune multimedia producer Justin Dehn, received a 2012 regional Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting for work on the case of Megan Winfrey, who was acquitted of murder in February 2013 after the Trib’s coverage brought statewide attention the case. Grissom joined the Tribune after four years at the El Paso Times, where she acted as a one-woman Capitol bureau. Grissom won the Associated Press Managing Editors First-Place Award in 2007 for using the Freedom of Information Act to report stories on a variety of government programs and entities, and the ACLU of Texas named her legislative reporter of the year in 2007 for her immigration reporting. She previously served as managing editor at The Daily Texan and has worked for the Alliance Times-Herald, the Taylor Daily Press, the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung and The Associated Press. A native of Alliance, Neb., she has a degree in history from the University of Texas.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Panel Approves Bill to Increase Prosecutor Accountability
A day after the premiere of a documentary about his tragic wrongful conviction, exoneree Michael Morton sat before a Senate panel and pleaded with them to approve a law that would ensure accountability for prosecutors.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Defense Lawyer Group Eschews Discovery Bill
Criminal defense lawyers who have led the fight against reciprocal discovery proposals in Texas are renewing their battle cries. The lawyers say the measure is unnecessary, expensive and wouldn’t prevent wrongful convictions.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Years After Innocence Finding, Inmate Remains in Prison for 1987 Murder
A Dallas County judge in 2008 found Ben Spencer innocent of the 1987 robbery and murder for which he is serving a life sentence. The state’s highest court disagreed, though, and this month he will mark 26 years behind bars.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Ellis, Duncan File Compromise Criminal Discovery Bill
Two state senators filed a measure on Friday that they hope will bring more transparency to criminal trials and prevent wrongful convictions by requiring prosecutors and defense lawyers to share information.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Police Want Power to Take Weapons From Mentally Ill
The mental health code doesn’t give police the right to take a gun from someone who is having a mental health crisis. Mental health advocates, judges and law enforcement officials are urging state lawmakers to address gaps like that one.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Ellis Bill Would Restrict Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled
State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and other advocates want a new law to ensure that Texas doesn’t execute offenders who are intellectually disabled. Prosecutors say the existing law already does that.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Acquittal Issued in Murder Case Based Largely on Scent Lineups
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday issued an acquittal in the case of Megan Winfrey, 24, who has been behind bars since 2007 in a murder case in which her conviction was based almost entirely on evidence from dog-scent lineups.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Report: Open Discovery Policies Could Thwart Wrongful Convictions
Widely variable discovery practices in Texas makes access to justice dependent upon where a defendant is charged, according to a report released Wednesday, giving weight to bills that would create uniform discovery procedures.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice
Trouble in Mind: The Andre Thomas Story
This six-part series explores the intersections of the mental health and criminal justice systems in Texas, examining the case of Andre Thomas, a death row inmate who awaits a court decision on whether he is sane enough for execution.
