The latest criminal justice news from The Texas Tribune.
Since the Corsicana juvenile detention center was founded in 1887 as the Texas Orphan Asylum, the facility's history has followed national trends in juvenile justice issues. Full Story
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At least three members of Texas' highest criminal court will be replaced in the next year, and observers say the unusually high turnover could have a significant effect on the court's decisions. Full Story
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Campaiging in El Paso, GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott on Monday said "third world" corruption is a problem across Texas, not just on the border, and he defended his border security plan. Full Story
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When Bernie Tiede went to trial in 1999 for murdering a wealthy Carthage widow, many in the town wanted the young man to see a light punishment. But 15 years into his life sentence, many now say prison is where he belongs. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, a 2014 candidate for Texas lieutenant governor, talked about where she and state Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, the Democratic frontrunner for governor, differ on open carry. Full Story
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During a two-day DNA hearing that ended Tuesday, prosecutors argued tests confirmed Hank Skinner’s guilt in a 20-year-old triple murder, but his lawyers said the results raised too many questions to allow him to be executed. Full Story
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After detailing his "Securing Texans" policy at an event in Dallas on Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott answered questions about his plans for border security and other issues. Full Story
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At an event in Dallas on Tuesday, Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott talked about his plans to address border security, human trafficking and domestic violence. Full Story
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Texas in 2013 exonerated more people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes than any other state, according to a new report. Full Story
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Six people were arrested on Monday in front of the Travis County Jail during a civil disobedience protest against a federal immigration program. Full Story
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After more than a decade of fighting for DNA tests and two years of analysis on decades-old evidence, a court in Pampa will hear evidence that death row inmate Hank Skinner says should stop his execution. Full Story
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After a crackdown a few years ago in Laredo, gaming halls are on the rise again. But local officials aren't quite on the same page about whether to enforce the gambling laws or to try to change them. Full Story
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Congressional Republicans unveiled a set of guidelines for comprehensive immigration reform on Thursday, saying immigrants should have a path to legal status only after paying fines and passing background checks. Full Story
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Months after her husband was killed in Mexico, Lorena Acosta finally laid her husband to rest on Monday in West Texas. Acosta hopes to use her personal tragedy to spotlight what she said are deep-seated problems within law enforcement south of the border. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is reviewing its Death Row Plan, and inmates' rights advocates, along with the prison employees union, are urging less restrictive housing for the condemned. Full Story
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The number of immigrants apprehended while attempting to cross the United States' southern border rose last year, but most of the increase can be attributed to immigrants coming from countries other than Mexico. Full Story
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Wednesday night’s execution in Texas of a Mexican national convicted of killing a Houston police officer has given the candidates vying to be the state’s next attorney general an opportunity to weigh in on the death penalty. Full Story
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A gruesome murder in a Texas hotel room and a 9-year-old’s futile effort to call 911 has sparked a national petition — and prompted federal officials to seek a legislative remedy. Full Story
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Texas' recent designation as one of six test states for a federal project that seeks to expand the use of drones is spotlighting how far apart border lawmakers are on using more unmanned aircraft for border security. Full Story
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An East Texas judge says he should be able to intervene when the jail isn't providing medical care he deems adequate. The county says the judge is overstepping the bounds of his authority. Full Story
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