Lawmakers Mull Bills to Keep Federal Gun Laws Out of Texas
A House committee on Wednesday debated several bills that would make it a crime to enforce new federal gun laws in Texas. Full Story
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Judge Denies Norwood's Request for New Lawyers
Mark Norwood, accused of Christine Morton's 1986 murder, pleaded unsuccessfully on Wednesday for the judge to appoint new lawyers for him, saying his current representation isn't his "best bud." Full Story
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![Mark Norwood being led into court for the first time on Jan. 18th 2011. He is charged with the 1986 murder of Christine Morton.]()
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Panel Approves Bill to Increase Prosecutor Accountability
A day after the premiere of a documentary about his tragic wrongful conviction, exoneree Michael Morton sat before a Senate panel and pleaded with them to approve a law that would ensure accountability for prosecutors. Full Story
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Defense Lawyer Group Eschews Discovery Bill
Criminal defense lawyers who have led the fight against reciprocal discovery proposals in Texas are renewing their battle cries. The lawyers say the measure is unnecessary, expensive and wouldn't prevent wrongful convictions. Full Story
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Lawmakers Urged to Protect Businesses That Hire Ex-Prisoners
Amid a broader legislative push to help former prisoners re-enter society, state lawmakers on Monday were encouraged to limit the legal liability of businesses that hire ex-prisoners. Full Story
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![Brandon Biko Reese, who will soon be released after serving a five-year sentence, is enthusiastically welcomed to the front of the room to give a farewell speech. In an effort to "de-gangsterize" inmates, administrators encourage them to dance and cheer for their peers whenever possible.]()
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Years After Innocence Finding, Inmate Remains in Prison for 1987 Murder
A Dallas County judge in 2008 found Ben Spencer innocent of the 1987 robbery and murder for which he is serving a life sentence. The state's highest court disagreed, though, and this month he will mark 26 years behind bars. Full Story
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![Ben Spencer, on the left, at the Coffield Prison Unit during a February 2013 interview. Right, Andrew Wattley, the son of Spencer's lawyer, Cheryl Wattley, demonstrates the dim lighting in which witnesses said they identified Spencer in 1987.]()
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Ellis, Duncan File Compromise Criminal Discovery Bill
Two state senators filed a measure on Friday that they hope will bring more transparency to criminal trials and prevent wrongful convictions by requiring prosecutors and defense lawyers to share information. Full Story
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![Michael Morton at the Williamson County Courthouse, Feb 6, 2013.]()
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Legislature May Restrict Use of Cell Phone Records by Law Enforcement
Texas lawmakers are considering a bill filed by Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, that would require police and prosecutors to prove there is a probable cause of illegal activity before obtaining suspects' cell phone records. Full Story
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![Austin Police detectives regularly use cell phone records to track the locations of suspects.]()
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Lawmaker Hopes to Reverse Law That Makes Penny Theft a Felony
Texas legislators accidentally increased the penalty for theft of a penny to a state jail felony in 2011. Now, a lawmaker hopes to fix the statute, which was aimed at copper thieves. Full Story
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Updated: Chief Justice Pushes for "Innocence Commission"
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson pushed lawmakers to establish a commission to investigate wrongful convictions at his biannual State of the Judiciary speech on Wednesday. Full Story
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Ellis Bill Would Restrict Death Penalty for Intellectually Disabled
State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and other advocates want a new law to ensure that Texas doesn't execute offenders who are intellectually disabled. Prosecutors say the existing law already does that. Full Story
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Report Backs Push for Board to Oversee Prisons
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition has released a report calling on lawmakers to approve several bills that would increase supervision over the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which oversees the state’s prisons. Full Story
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Video: Bill Increases Punishment in Hit-and-Run Cases
A bill in the Texas Senate would make the penalty for failing to stop and render aid in certain hit-and-run cases equal to that of intoxication manslaughter. It's a move lawmakers and law enforcement hope causes more drivers to do the right thing and stay put. Full Story
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Barratry Charges Against State Lawmaker Are Dropped
Barratry charges against state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, were dropped on Wednesday following allegations of misconduct by the investigator who pursued the case against him. Full Story
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Court Reverses Death Row Inmate's 2003 Conviction
Death row inmate Nelson Gongora's conviction was reversed by a federal appeals court, which said that a prosecutor's comments regarding his decision to not testify denied him a right to a fair trial. Full Story
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Border Officials: Federal Budget Inaction Could Weaken Security, Trade
“The border is safe.” That’s a common refrain from lawmakers who say the unprecedented buildup of law enforcement in the region has netted positive results. But as sequestration looms, lawmakers say federal inaction could put that reality in jeopardy. Full Story
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Acquittal Issued in Murder Case Based Largely on Scent Lineups
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday issued an acquittal in the case of Megan Winfrey, 24, who has been behind bars since 2007 in a murder case in which her conviction was based almost entirely on evidence from dog-scent lineups. Full Story
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Trouble in Mind: The Andre Thomas Story
This six-part series explores the intersections of the mental health and criminal justice systems in Texas, examining the case of Andre Thomas, a death row inmate who awaits a court decision on whether he is sane enough for execution. Full Story
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Report: Open Discovery Policies Could Thwart Wrongful Convictions
Widely variable discovery practices in Texas makes access to justice dependent upon where a defendant is charged, according to a report released Wednesday, giving weight to bills that would create uniform discovery procedures. Full Story
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Whitmire Bill Aims to Increase Prosecutor Accountability
In the wake of Michael Morton's high-profile exoneration, state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, filed a bill Tuesday that aims to ensure more accountability for prosecutors who are accused of withholding evidence. Full Story
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![Michael Morton, freed in 2011 after spending 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, takes the stand on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in the Georgetown Courthouse. Feb. 4, 2013.]()
Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell / American-Statesman
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