As the state and Scott Panetti’s defense team battled over whether his execution should be halted last week, a four-page affidavit provided a tantalizing peek into the mental health care Texas has provided for the schizophrenic death row inmate.
Terri Langford
Terri Langford is the Tribune's health services reporter based in Austin. Langford is a veteran journalist, having worked at the Florida Times Union, The Associated Press, The Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, WNYC, Honolulu Civil Beat and Texas Standard/KUT. Langford has a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. She has covered various city and state agencies, criminal justice and health and human services for the Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Associated Press, WNYC and Texas Standard at KUT.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas Prisons Make Family Visits Easier
The Texas prison system is making it easier for family members to visit loved ones behind bars, hoping to strengthen social networks inmates need when they are released.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Federal Appeals Court Stays Panetti’s Execution
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday halted the execution of a Texas death row inmate with a history of schizophrenia, just hours before he was to be put to death in Huntsville.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Panetti Fate in Hands of Perry, Appeals Courts
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles won’t recommend a reprieve for convicted killer Scott Panetti, leaving it up to Gov. Rick Perry to decide if he will delay Wednesday’s scheduled execution of the schizophrenic death row inmate.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Abbott: Immigration Lawsuit Could Come in Two Weeks
A state lawsuit challenging President Obama’s executive order shielding as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation could come from Texas in the next two weeks, Gov.-elect Greg Abbott says.
Posted in
Economy
Supreme Court Declines to Review “Pole Tax”
The Texas Supreme Court will not review whether a $5-per-patron fee at live nude entertainment clubs is an occupation tax in disguise, letting stand a ruling that found alcohol-serving strip clubs must pay up when it comes to the “pole tax.”
Posted inState Government
Execution Stay Sought for Schizophrenic Inmate
Attorneys for schizophrenic death row inmate Scott Louis Panetti on Thursday asked the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to halt his impending Dec. 3 execution, saying their client is too incompetent to be legally put to death.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Perry Judge Rules Prosecutor is Not Disqualified
The special prosecutor pressing criminal charges against Gov. Rick Perry will not be disqualified from the case over questions around the oath of office he took. A judge ruled Tuesday that the prosecutor was properly sworn into office.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Beef Council Turns Focus to Younger Eaters
To attract young families, the Texas Beef Council is turning to food and recipe apps, its website and tailored cooking events.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bipartisan Group of Lawyers Wants Perry Case Dismissed
A bipartisan group of lawyers led by former Texas Solicitor General James C. Ho filed an amicus brief Monday in Austin, asking a judge to dismiss the case against Gov. Rick Perry.
