After being sentenced to life in prison a second time, convicted murderer Bernie Tiede wants another do-over. An East Texas jury sentenced Tiede to 99 years or life in prison in the killing of wealthy Carthage widow Marjorie Nugent.
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.
Bathroom Battle Begins Taking Hold in Texas
Activists, lawmakers and state leaders are eyeing Texas as the next battleground in what has become an explosive national debate: the right of transgender people to decide which bathroom they use.
It’s Official: A&M Allowing Guns in Classrooms and Dorms
This fall, guns will be allowed in classrooms and most dorms at Texas A&M University and other A&M System schools. Faculty will only be allowed to ban them in their offices if they show a special need.
Texas Rangers Join Criminal Probe of State Rep. Dawnna Dukes
The Texas Rangers have joined a Travis County District Attorney office criminal probe into state Rep. Dawnna Dukes’ use of staff, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed.
Texas Cities See Crime Rates Dropping
Crime rates in Texas cities fell more over the past two years than in other cities across the nation, a new study finds.
Texas Prison Inmate Database Updated
The Texas prison inmates database has been updated with the latest data from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Use the app to learn more about the most common crimes and look up any of the more than 144,000 inmates housed in Texas prisons.
Texas Ag Chief Wore Two Hats at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
As Texas agriculture events go, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was a must-do for state Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and his staff. But Miller had more than an industry interest. He also had a personal one.
Petition Seeks Ban on Sex Offender Pen Pals
Lori Williams was searching online last year when she found a plea apparently written by a Texas prison inmate looking for pen pals to write him in prison. The accompanying photo was of the man who assaulted her at knifepoint.
Urban Woes Regularly Spill Onto UT Campus
A review of more than three months of UT-Austin police logs shows campus police routinely dealing with traffic issues, drug crimes and homeless people unrelated to the university.
New Gas Pump Stickers Highlight Sid Miller, Ding Lawmakers
A new sticker for the state’s gas pumps comes with a few additional flourishes: Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s name emblazoned across the top and a disclaimer blaming gas taxes on Congress and the Texas Legislature.

