The Polling Center: Texans' View of Gay Marriage Shifts
While the country has been jogging toward its new position on gay marriage, polling numbers show Texans appear to have been moseying along in the same direction. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-GayParents001.JPG)
-
![Brian Stephens, left, and Andy Miller with their son, Clark, on Jan. 21, 2013, in Austin.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
Moody to Present One-Way Discovery Measure
State Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, on Tuesday plans to present a revised version of his criminal discovery bill that would require only prosecutors to disclose information in criminal trials. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/26/EvidenceExchange-1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
Judicial Donations Raise Questions of Partiality
Texas Supreme Court justices are elected by voters, and the campaign contributions they receive from law firms with an interest in their decisions have caused some to worry that justice is for sale. Full Story
Credit: Graphic by Tamir Kalifa and Bob Daemmrich -
Updated: Prosecutors Tell Norwood Jury of Second Murder
Prosecutors in the murder trial of Mark Norwood on Friday presented evidence linking him to another killing in Austin. Earlier Friday, Norwood's ex-wife took the stand and testified in front of jurors. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/19/txtrib-Norwood2-CCR007.jpg)
![Defendant Mark Norwood enters the Tom Green County Courthouse for opening hearings, Mar 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Death Details, Gun Testimony Mark Third Day of Norwood Trial
On the third day of Mark Alan Norwood’s capital murder trial, prosecutors concluded their presentation of DNA evidence and presented more evidence that they say connects him to the 1986 murder of Christine Morton. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/19/txtrib-Norwood2.2-CCR054.jpg)
![Defendant Mark Norwood exits the Tom Green County Courthouse after the first day of his trial for the murder of Christine Morton, Mar 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Lawmakers Urge New Hearing in Death Penalty Case
More than 100 elected officials, religious officials and lawyers have sent a letter to the Harris County district attorney's office urging a new hearing in the case of Duane Buck, who they say was unfairly sentenced to death because of an expert witness's testimony. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Duane_Buck.png)
![Death row inmate Duane Buck, Texas Department of Criminal Justice photo]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Christine Morton's Brother Testifies in Norwood Trial
Christine Morton's brother John Kirkpatrick testified Wednesday in the trial of Mark Norwood, who is accused of beating Morton to death in 1986. Kirkpatrick told jurors how he found the bandana that links Norwood to the crime. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/19/txtrib-Norwood2-CCR001.jpg)
![Prosecutor Lisa Tanner enters Tom Green County Courthouse on the first day of Mark Norwood's trial, Mar 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Gun Buyer Who Links Norwood to Morton Murder to Testify
A former Austin construction company owner who employed alleged murderer Mark Alan Norwood will tell jurors in a videotaped deposition this week that Norwood sold him a pistol that was stolen when Christine Morton was killed. Full Story
![Defendant Mark Norwood exits the Tom Green County Courthouse after the first day of his trial for the murder of Christine Morton, Mar 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Updated: Start of Murder Trial Brings Emotional, Graphic Testimony
The first full day of Mark Alan Norwood's murder trial was marked by the emotional testimony and gory photos of the murder scene. It was also notable for the absence of any reference to Michael Morton's wrongful conviction for the crime. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/19/txtrib-Norwood2.2-CCR042.jpg)
![Eric Olson, who was 3 when his mother Christine Morton was murdered in 1986, enters the Tom Green County Courthouse with his wife Maggie Olson for the trial of Mark Alan Norwood on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Senate Committee Passes DNA Testing Bill
UPDATED: Attorney General Greg Abbott is supporting a bill by state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, that would require DNA testing of "all biological evidence" in cases where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/19/DNAcmsMCx.jpg)
![Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, c, discusses SB 1292 on pre-trial DNA testing March 19, 2013 with Sen. Robert Duncan, l, and Attorney Gen. Greg Abbott.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Bill Adds Protections for Those Who Film On-Duty Officers With Phones
A state Senate bill aims to give extra protections to people who film on-duty police officers with their smartphones or other devices. The author, Sen. Craig Estes, says the measure addresses charges that could be filed as retribution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/09/TXTrib_PeacefulStreets_041-001.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Gabriel Cristóver Pérez -
Jury Chosen for Norwood Murder Trial
The prosecutor and lawyers for Mark Norwood chose a jury on Monday that will decide whether the former Bastrop dishwasher is guilty of the 1986 bludgeoning death of Christine Morton. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/18/Norwood-Richmond002_1.jpg)
![Mark Norwood exits the Tom Green County Courthouse after jury selection for his trial, Mar 18, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond -
Trial Switches Focus of Morton Case to Norwood
Mark Norwood for more than 16 months has been awaiting his trial that begins today for the 1986 murder of Christine Morton. Prosecutors could focus on his criminal history and will likely try to link him to evidence from the crime scene. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2012_01_18_MarkNorwood_MG_4992x.jpg)
![Mark Norwood being led into court for the first time on Jan. 18th 2011. He is charged with the 1986 murder of Christine Morton.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
El Paso Legislator Arrested on DWI Charge
State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, was arrested by Austin police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and booked into Travis County Jail early Thursday morning, according to Travis County public records. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/NaomiGonzalez.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Immigration-Related Bills Poised to Spark Debate
When it comes to immigration-related legislation, this session is far different from the one two years ago. But several bills could still stir some heated debate once House committees take up the measures in the coming weeks. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/03/13/VISA-Verify.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
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
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
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
![Mark Norwood being led into court for the first time on Jan. 18th 2011. He is charged with the 1986 murder of Christine Morton.]()
Credit: Spencer Selvidge -
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
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
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
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera / Bob Daemmrich -
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
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/16/PEP_SLIDE011.JPG)
![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.]()
Credit: Tamir Kalifa
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/98e2032db2e856f9abb6ecd907f54121/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Bidness%20Supreme%20COurt)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3a55bab5825df12a3ffdbf1f4b6d6b0f/BD%20INC%20Otto%20HB553%202013)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bce733f35178779863cded8ff67137d6/BD%20INC%20Morton%20SB825%202013)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0ee7eeb58cd8f863459efe1f6e208623/DO%20NOT%20USE%20Duncan%20Morton%20Ellis%202013)