Meth Seizures Increase on Texas-Mexico Border
For the second consecutive year, seizures of methamphetamine in the Laredo customs district — the country’s busiest land port — climbed significantly. Full Story
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Cruz Talks Guns, Deflects Hagel Accusations
Calling President Obama’s recent gun control initiatives “cynical” and “wrong,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said on Tuesday that lawmakers “should focus our efforts on deterring and punishing violent criminals." Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Updated Interactive: Payouts to Exonerated Texas Prisoners
Texas has paid 89 exonerees nearly $61 million since 1992, according to data from the Texas comptroller's office. Use this interactive to see how much money the state has paid to exonerated prisoners by fiscal year. Full Story
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Moody Files Open Discovery Bill
A bill filed by state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, on Monday would require prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal cases to open their files to their opponents. It could have momentum in the wake of Michael Morton's exoneration. Full Story
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![The first day of the inquiry into former Williamson County D.A. Ken Anderson, which will examine allegations that Anderson hid five pieces of evidence before, during and after Michael Morton's 1987 trial. Jan 4, 2013.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman -
Call for a New Execution Date Revives Race Debate
Harris County prosecutors will seek a new execution date on Monday for death row inmate Duane Buck. His defenders say race played a role in his death sentence. Prosecutors say courts have "thoroughly reviewed" and rejected his claims. Full Story
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![Death row inmate Duane Buck, Texas Department of Criminal Justice photo]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Inmates Use Business Program to Get Head Start on Life After Prison
Through a program operated by a Houston nonprofit, some Texas inmates who will soon be released get a chance to learn business skills and work on plans to start their own businesses. Full Story
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![Morgan Crocker delivers a business proposal for a fitness training service during the weekly session of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program at the Cleveland Correctional Center in Cleveland, Texas.]()
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Slideshow: Turning Prisoners Into Entrepreneurs
The Prison Entrepreneurship Program at the Cleveland Correctional Center trains selected inmates, who will soon be released, to design their own businesses. Here's a series of photographs from a recent class. Full Story
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TribLive: Patterson on Gun Control
At Thursday's TribLive conversation, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson — a passionate defender of the Second Amendment — explained his opposition to universal background checks, an assault weapons ban and other gun control measures. Full Story
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Todd Staples: The TT Interview
The Texas agriculture commissioner on his book and campaign to highlight what he sees as a crisis on the border, his opinions on which immigration policies work and which don't, and why Americans shouldn't believe it when they are told the border is secure. Full Story
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Ex-DA's Indignant Testimony Closes Dramatic Inquiry
An indignant and defensive Ken Anderson brought a dramatic end to a week of emotional testimony in the unusual court examination of whether he should face criminal charges for his 1987 prosecution of Michael Morton. Full Story
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![Ken Anderson, John Bradley and Rosemary Lehmberg.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman -
Drama Erupts as Anderson Court of Inquiry Nears Its End
A day of legal theater in the Ken Anderson court of inquiry ended with a reversal-of-course by John Bradley. The firebrand ex-prosecutor backed away from previous damning statements he made about his former boss. Full Story
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![The court of inquiry explores former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson's role in the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton, Feb 6, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Michael Morton: The TT Interview
On Wednesday, Michael Morton sat down with the Tribune to talk about the pain and anger the court of inquiry for Ken Anderson is bringing up for him and his hopes for accountability in the wake of his wrongful conviction. Full Story
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Amid Contentious Inquiry, Morton Sees "Road to Accountability"
Exoneree Michael Morton says the sometimes painful court process examining his wrongful conviction is part of a journey he is on to find accountability and promote reform in the criminal justice system. Full Story
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![Michael Morton watches as the court of inquiry explores former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson's role in Morton's wrongful conviction, on Feb. 6, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Nueces County Jail Facing Lawsuit Over 2011 Death
The family of Gregory Cheek has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Nueces County Jail, saying Cheek should have been transferred from the jail to a mental health facility. Full Story
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Villalba Files School Marshal Bill
State Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, has filed a bill that would allow Texas schools to appoint "school marshals" — employees who could carry guns in an effort to protect students from violence. Full Story
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Updated: Anderson Inquiry Continues With Former Asst District Attorney
Judge Doug Arnold, a former Williamson County assistant district attorney who worked for Ken Anderson and for former district attorney John Bradley, testifies Wednesday about the Michael Morton case as the court of inquiry resumes. Full Story
![The first day of the inquiry into former Williamson County D.A. Ken Anderson, which will examine allegations that Anderson hid five pieces of evidence before, during and after Michael Morton's 1987 trial. Jan 4, 2013.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman -
Video: Greg Abbott vs. Piers Morgan on Guns
On Monday night's edition of Piers Morgan Tonight, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott spoke out against both background checks for personal gun sales and a ban on high-capacity magazines. Full Story
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Bill Aims to Address Changing Science in Criminal Appeals
State Sen. John Whitmire has filed a bill to make it easier for those convicted based on science that has since been discredited to appeal their sentences. Prosecutors have called such legislation unnecessary. Full Story
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![Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, chairman of the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, at a Sept. 4, 2012, hearing.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Piers Morgan to Hold Show at Texas Gun Range
CNN host Piers Morgan, who has been fiercely critical of U.S. gun laws since the elementary school killings in Connecticut, is bringing his show to Texas on Monday to debate gun policy. Full Story
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Morton's Conviction Comes to Define Former Williamson County DA
Williamson County State District Judge Ken Anderson faces a court of inquiry, starting Monday, that will determine whether he should face charges over a wrongful murder conviction. Full Story
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![Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson, right, and Sheriff Jim Boutwell speak with reporters.]()
Credit: Courtesy Williamson County Sun
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