Anthony Shore, a convicted serial killer, is set to be executed Wednesday evening. His murders in the 1980s and 1990s went unsolved until 2003.
Courts
Stay up to date on Texas courts with in-depth coverage of major rulings, judicial elections, criminal justice, and the judges shaping state law from The Texas Tribune.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Texas executes Robert Pruett, who insisted on innocence in prison guard’s murder
The man convicted in a 1999 prison guard’s murder always said he was framed by corrupt guards and inmates. After rounds of DNA testing that were deemed inconclusive, he was executed Thursday night.
Posted in
Politics
Texas nominee for federal court at odds with Trump on birthright citizenship
Last month, President Donald Trump said he is nominating Dallas attorney James Ho to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Years of his writing show a strong interest by Ho in the thorny issue of birthright citizenship.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Days from execution, man convicted in prison guard’s murder insists on innocence
Robert Pruett faces his execution Thursday in the 1999 murder of a Texas prison guard. Pruett has consistently argued his innocence in the case, pushing for multiple rounds of DNA testing on crime scene evidence.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
After Harvey, jury trials still haven’t resumed in Harris County
In Houston, where flood damage took out the two most important criminal justice facilities, some defense attorneys are worried that trial delays are robbing their clients of justice.
Posted in
Courts
Judge blocks Texas secretary of state from giving voter information to Trump commission
A judge’s order adds Texas to a growing list of states not complying with President Donald Trump’s investigation into the 2016 elections, which Trump says suffered from large-scale voter fraud.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Death row inmate gets new sentencing hearing because lawyer refused to present his case
Hector Medina was sentenced to death in 2008 after killing his two young children. Now, he’s getting a new sentencing trial because his lawyer refused to present evidence to persuade jurors to opt for the lesser sentence of life without parole.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Appellate judges show concern over Harris County bail practices, court ruling
Harris County fought for its bail system in front of a panel of three federal appellate judges Tuesday morning. The County is asking the court to overturn a lower judge’s ruling that called its pretrial processes unconstitutional.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
How Harris County’s federal bail lawsuit spreads beyond Houston
Texas counties are watching to see how Harris County’s fight against court-ordered bail practices will affect them.
Posted in
Courts
Trump taps two Texans — Willett and Ho — for judicial posts
President Donald Trump is nominating two Texans to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett and Dallas attorney James Ho.
