A New Mexico man convicted for a drug-fueled triple murder in San Antonio in 1993 was executed on Wednesday, the first Texas inmate to be put to death under Gov. Greg Abbott.
Criminal Justice
Get the latest Texas Tribune coverage on criminal justice, including crime, courts, law enforcement, and reforms shaping the state’s justice system.
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Criminal Justice
McCaul Plan Would Fund Guard, Aid Border Patrol
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, is pushing new border security legislation that would make it easier for Border Patrol agents to operate on protected lands, and fund continued National Guard presence.
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Criminal Justice
Court Suspends Lawyer for Death Row Inmate Over Late Filing
The Court of Criminal Appeals has suspended a criminal defense lawyer, arguing that he filed motions to stop executions too late. The move is part of a ongoing feud in Texas between such lawyers and judges who rule on their claims.
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Criminal Justice
Judge Hears Arguments in Immigration Policy Case
UPDATED: A judge heard arguments Thursday on a request to halt a White House immigration policy that could affect hundreds of thousands of Texans living in the country illegally. The judge did not indicate when he would make a ruling.
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Criminal Justice
Video: New House Members on Immigration
At our 1/14 conversation, new state Reps. Celia Israel, D-Austin, Linda Koop, R-Dallas, and Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, talked about border security, in-state tuition and other immigration-related topics.
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Criminal Justice
Video: Huffman and Watson on Open Carry
At our 1/12 conversation, state Sens. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin — the chairs of the Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses — talked about proposed gun legislation in the 84th session.
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Criminal Justice
Attempts to Dupe Immigration Agents Rise
Instead of trusting human smugglers or risking clandestine border crossings, an increasing number of people trying to enter the U.S. illegally are taking a more brazen approach. They try to slip through legal entry points using fake papers, or documents that belong to someone else.
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Criminal Justice
The Playlist: The Best is Yet to Come
For this week’s playlist of the news, we’re using our reporters’ own predictions for 2015. Kicking things off: “The Best Is Yet To Come,” by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, backed up by the Count Basie Orchestra.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Ushering in Several Reforms, But Not Always Leading the Charge
Rick Perry will leave behind a criminal justice system in healthier shape than when he stepped in as governor. Terri Langford writes that how instrumental Perry was in improving it remains an open question.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Demographics, Economy, Immigration, Politics, State Government
Five — and a Half — Things We Won’t Forget About Gov. Rick Perry
Boiling down Gov. Rick Perry’s legacy into a few bullet points isn’t easy. But reporters Reeve Hamilton and Jay Root look at some things people will surely remember years after Perry has left office. Their feature kicks off our 10-part series, The Perry Legacy.
