As we prepare to ring in the new year, we take a look back at some of our most-viewed videos of 2011.
Texas death row
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Executions, Death Sentences Drop in Texas, Nation
Leading a national downward trend in the use of the death penalty, Texas has executed just 13 prisoners so far in 2011, the lowest number in more than a decade. And juries meted out only eight new death sentences.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
On the Records: Texas Exonerations
Texas ranks third in the number of exonerations in the United States since 1989, according to data compiled by Mother Jones. Take a look at how Texas compares to other states across the nation with this map.
Posted inState Government
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Grants Stay for Hank Skinner
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today granted a stay of execution for Hank Skinner, who has been seeking DNA testing for a decade. Skinner was set to be executed on Wednesday.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Supreme Court Denies Duane Buck Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court today denied the appeal of Texas death row inmate Duane Buck, who was seeking a retrial based on race-related testimony given during the sentencing phase of his 1997 trial.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Skinner, Running Out of Time, Awaits DNA Ruling From Skeptical Court
Facing a Wednesday execution date, convicted murderer Hank Skinner is again appealing to the state’s highest criminal court to allow for new DNA tests he says could exonerate him. But the court previously has ruled against him — twice.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Lower Court Denies Skinner DNA Test, Appeal Planned
A Gray County District Court today denied DNA testing that death row inmate Hank Skinner has been seeking for a decade. Skinner’s lawyers plan to appeal the decision. His execution is scheduled for Wednesday.
Posted inState Government
Officials Urge Perry to Halt Skinner Execution
More than a dozen current and former lawmakers, prosecutors, judges, police officers and even a former Texas governor sent a letter today calling on Gov. Rick Perry to allow for DNA testing death row inmate Hank Skinner says could prove his innocence.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Skinner Lawyer: DNA Decision Likely Up to State Court
Following a hearing today in federal court in Amarillo, a lawyer for death row inmate Hank Skinner said it will likely be up to the state courts to decide a fight over DNA testing in his case. Skinner is scheduled to be executed Nov. 9.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Updated: Morton Wins Release From Prison After 25 Years
Michael Morton, who served 25 years in prison for the murder of his wife Christine, now will be released after DNA evidence linked another man to the crime and to another murder 16 months later.
