About 50 attorneys, prosecutors, defense attorneys and lab technicians on Friday discussed how past and future cases could be affected by a new standard in analyzing data involving “mixed DNA” evidence.
Department of Public Safety
Posted inState Government
Will Another Traffic Nightmare Precede the Next Big Storm?
Before Hurricane Rita hit the Texas coast 10 years ago, there was an evacuation marked by a traffic disaster. Officials say they’re prepared to avoid a similar catastrophe on the roads. This is part of our “Road From Rita” series, a collaboration with the Beaumont Enterprise.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
New Crime Lab Protocol Leads to Reviews of “Mixed DNA” Evidence
A new standard, used by crime labs in Texas and nationwide when analyzing multiple sets of DNA taken from evidence, has prompted questions and a review of court cases dating back to 1999.
Posted inState Government
Roundup: Paid to Prosecute, DPS Traffic Stops, 2016
In the Roundup: A paid-to-prosecute arrangement revealed, an analysis of state trooper traffic stops and the next GOP presidential debate looms as Ted Cruz and Rick Perry execute two different campaigns.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Troopers Ticketing Fewer Overall, More Hispanics
State troopers are writing far fewer traffic tickets now than five years ago, but an increasing share of them are being issued to Hispanic drivers, a Tribune analysis of state data shows. The Texas Department of Public Safety says it can’t explain why that’s happening.
Posted inState Government
Interim Committee to Take a Closer Look at Jail Safety
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. John Whitmire on Tuesday announced the creation of an interim jail safety study committee following concerns in the wake of the hanging death of Sandra Bland and the deaths of other jail inmates.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Capitol Fire Suspect to Go Before Iowa Judge
A man arrested in Iowa who is suspected of setting fire to a car last week at the Texas Capitol is expected to appear before a judge on Friday.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Person of Interest in Capitol Activity Now Tied to Car Fire
A man involved in “suspicious activity” near the Texas House speaker’s office is also being sought for questioning about a car fire outside the Capitol, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said Monday.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Bland’s Mother Sues DPS, Waller County
Alleging that Sandra Bland’s “rights and privileges as a citizen of the United States” were violated, Bland’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the Texas Department of Public Safety, Waller County and several law enforcement officers.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
DPS Trooper Warned in 2014 of “Unprofessional Conduct”
The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail, was warned about his “unprofessional conduct” in 2014 while he was still a probationary trooper, according to his personnel file.
