The latest criminal justice news from The Texas Tribune.
The state’s highest civil court said it wants a lower court to resolve a separation-of-powers issue raised by a group of Texas lawmakers who subpoenaed the death row inmate the night before he was set to be put to death. Full Story
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Few options to avoid death remain for the Palestine man, who is set to be executed Thursday on the basis of a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis. Full Story
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Todd Smith was indicted in 2022 on felony charges of theft and commercial bribery related to taking money in exchange for hemp licenses that are issued by Miller’s office. Full Story
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The new videos largely affirm prior reporting and investigations that detailed law enforcement’s failures to confront the gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers. Full Story
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Texas elections law says state prison inmates who are appealing their convictions are eligible to register. Many lawyers and voting rights advocates were unaware of the rule. Full Story
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A new state report says the prison population will outgrow capacity by the end of next year. Full Story
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Garcia White, who killed twin sisters, became the fifth Texas inmate put to death in 2024 after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to issue a stay of execution. Full Story
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Travis James Mullis was sentenced to death in 2011 for killing his 3-month-old son in Galveston. He was the fourth person executed in Texas this year. Full Story
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Two counties house training programs in local high schools as officials pitch corrections jobs as gateways to criminal justice careers. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott has declared the Venezuelan gang a foreign terrorist organization and asked the Department of Public Safety to create a strike team targeting them. Full Story
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Lawmakers cite new scientific evidence that they say proves Robert Roberson, who is set for execution on Oct. 17, did not kill his daughter. Full Story
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Abbott signed a proclamation declaring Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization and directed Texas DPS to create strike teams targeting the gang. Full Story
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About 25% of Texas’ correctional officer positions are unfilled. Inmates say the shortages make it harder for them to get respite during hot summer months. Full Story
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A Texas Juvenile Justice Department report says Dallas County officers kept kids in their sleeping quarters for days at a time and faked school attendance logs. Full Story
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Attorneys for the man facing trial in the killings of 23 people accused prosecutors of improper witness contact and violating confidential attorney-client communication. Full Story
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Pete Arredondo’s lawyers tell the court that the shooter, not the police, was to blame for the school violence. Full Story
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A Dallas County judge granted a motion to dismiss charges against Benjamin Spencer, 59, who was initially convicted in 1987 of murder. Full Story
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“It’s like time passes, but it also freezes,” said Rosie Granados, whose twin sister was killed during the shooting. Full Story
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The longtime head of the Department of Public Safety will step down at the end of the year. Full Story
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The indictment of the alleged leader of the human smuggling organization comes a day after Guatemalan authorities arrested him and six others in connection with the tragedy. Full Story
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