Criminal justice

Texas had 7 mass shootings over 10 years. Meanwhile, gun control has loosened statewide.

by Mandi Cai and Stacy Fernández

Texas has a history of deadly mass shootings. Many have sparked public debate about what legislation should be passed to prevent another one. Full Story 

Ted Cruz calls efforts to halt Rodney Reed's execution "remarkable bipartisan coalition"

by Jolie McCullough and Chase Karacostas

"If there is credible evidence there’s a real chance a defendant is innocent, that evidence should be weighed carefully," Cruz tweeted Friday night. Full Story 

Two Texas Democrats have been campaigning in a statewide race that probably won't be on the ballot

by Emma Platoff

Amid confusion over the state’s mandatory retirement law, a state official confirmed to the Democratic Party months ago that the race for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 6 would appear on the 2020 ballot. It probably won't. Full Story 

Federal judge delays execution of “Texas Seven” prisoner over claims of religious discrimination

by Jolie McCullough

For the second time, a court has stopped Murphy's execution over concerns that the Texas prison system's execution procedures discriminate against non-Christian inmates. Full Story 

Texas executes Justen Hall for murder of woman in El Paso

by Davis Rich

Hall told a trial judge he needed "to be put down" in 2016. Lawyers questioned his mental health and asked an El Paso court to delay the execution until Hall's competency can be evaluated. Full Story 

Texas lawmakers ask Gov. Greg Abbott to stop execution of Rodney Reed, whose guilt is widely doubted

by Jolie McCullough

Rodney Reed's guilt in the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites has been questioned for decades. A bipartisan group of lawmakers join national calls to stop his upcoming execution. Full Story 

Texas law requires retired police dogs be auctioned off. Proposition 10 would send them home with their handlers.

by Chase Karacostas

On Nov. 5, voters have the chance to change the Texas Constitution to ensure retired law enforcement animals can be adopted by their handlers, erasing a decades-old requirement that government property must be sold or destroyed when no longer in use. Full Story 

2 dead, at least 14 wounded after shooting at party in Greenville, Texas

by The Texas Tribune

Brandon Ray Gonzales, 23, was arrested Monday on a capital murder charge. The suspect is being held at the county jail with bail set at $1 million. Full Story 

House Speaker Dennis Bonnen says, “No laws were broken.” Legal hurdles remain.

by Emma Platoff and Jolie McCullough

Bonnen has been eager to dismiss speculation that he did anything illegal during a June 12 meeting with conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan. But a probe into the event is ongoing. Full Story 

Fort Worth officer arrested and charged with murder of Atatiana Jefferson

by Carrington Tatum

Police Chief Ed Kraus apologized to Jefferson's family. Full Story 

Fort Worth police shooting spurs calls for transparency, justice in death of 28-year-old woman

by Carrington Tatum

A white Fort Worth police officer shot and killed a black woman in a home while responding to a request for a wellness check. Full Story 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recuses himself from opinion, citing conflict of interest

by Emma Platoff

A local official had asked Paxton for legal guidance on special prosecutor pay — a major question in the criminal case against Paxton himself. Full Story 

Judge halts execution for man convicted of killing two Henderson County deputies

by Jolie McCullough

Randall Mays was scheduled to be executed Oct. 16, but the judge removed the death warrant amid questions that Mays may not be mentally competent to be put to death. Full Story 

A GPS company repossessed a Houston murder suspect's ankle monitor for late fees. He was untracked for two weeks.

by Jolie McCullough

The incident highlights differences in GPS monitoring for defendants released from jail on money bonds and no-cash bonds. One department has arrestees pay vendors directly, the other has costs go through them. Full Story 

Amber Guyger was hugged by her victim’s brother and a judge, igniting a debate about forgiveness and race

by Hannah Knowles, The Washington Post

Some were confused, troubled and outraged after Amber Guyger received embraces from both the victim's brother and the judge. Full Story 

Amber Guyger trial highlighted why Dallas communities of color often distrust law enforcement

by Juan Pablo Garnham and Jolie McCullough

Hours after the former Dallas police officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Botham Jean, the city's top cop vowed to launch an internal investigation into police behavior exposed at trial. Full Story 

Sikh Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal remembered as “all that is good"

by Stacy Fernández

A memorial service was held for Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first observant Sikh deputy in Harris County, who was killed in a routine traffic stop Friday. Full Story 

Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger sentenced to 10 years in prison in murder of Botham Jean

by Jolie McCullough and Stacy Fernández

Guyger could have received as few as five years or a sentence of up to life in prison. Full Story 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatens to intervene in Austin’s “homelessness crisis”

by Alex Samuels and Davis Rich

Abbott’s office lamented reports of “violence, used needles, and feces littering the streets of Austin and endangering Texas residents.” Full Story 

A trial judge recommended taking Paul Storey off death row. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said no.

by Jolie McCullough

The state's highest criminal court rejected the judge's finding that Storey should be resentenced to life in prison after prosecutors falsely said at trial that the murder victim's family wanted the death penalty. Full Story