Lawyers for the state and for death row inmate Henry Skinner on Friday filed proposed findings to a Pampa judge who is considering whether DNA tests on crime scene evidence should preclude his execution.
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
TDCJ Policy Reduces Witnesses to Executions
As public scrutiny of the state’s execution process is increasing, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is more strictly implementing a media viewing policy that means fewer witnesses to the controversial procedure.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
After Reforms, Student “Tickets” Decline
New court data show that the number of tickets written by public school police officers for student misbehavior has fallen 71 percent since new laws designed to reduce the procedure went into effect late last year.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
With More Inmates on Dialysis, Officials Deal With Rising Costs
A small but expensive and ever-growing group of Texas inmates requires dialysis. Fewer than 230 inmates who receive dialysis treatment account for about 3 percent of the entire prison system’s pharmaceutical budget.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
AG: Prisons Can Keep Information About Execution Drugs Secret
Reversing his stance in three previous rulings, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott on Thursday ruled that the state prison system can withhold information about the suppliers of drugs used in lethal injections.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Criminal Discovery Act Brings Costs, Questions
The Michael Morton Act is raising awareness about the importance of discovery in criminal cases, lawyers say. But both prosecutors and defense lawyers agree there are still some kinks to iron out.
Posted in
State Government
With State Unit Shuttered, Fuel Tax Fraud Cases Now Flow to District Attorneys
Local prosecutors are now responsible for pursuing cases targeting fuel tax theft after the public integrity unit’s motor fuels tax fraud division shuttered last summer, a move that followed state funding cuts. Some are concerned that criminals will see less of a deterrent to fuel tax fraud schemes.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Vacant Juvenile Facility Costing $100K Monthly
Last year, lawmakers told the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to close a facility, and the agency drew up plans to shutter its aging Corsicana detention center. Now, lawmakers are keeping it open at a cost of $100,000 a month.
Posted inState Government
Lehmberg: Perry Attorney Wants Private Entrance to Grand Jury Room
Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg says the private attorney representing Gov. Rick Perry in grand jury proceedings has asked a judge to allow his witnesses to enter through a private door — which bypasses the media.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Last-Minute Stay for Texas Death Row Inmate
A federal appeals court halted the Texas execution of Robert James Campbell just hours before he was to be put to death Tuesday based on questions about whether the 41-year-old inmate is mentally disabled.
