Kerry Max Cook was released from death row in 1997 but has never officially been declared an exoneree. Michael Hall of Texas Monthly reports on Cook’s complex case and his challenging fight to move on with his life.
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
In Texas, a Never-Ending Battle Over Judicial Elections
Political candidates across Texas are gearing up for the state’s May 29 primaries. And as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, that partisan campaigning extends to candidates who often promise to be impartial: the state’s judges.
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Criminal Justice
Ethan Nadelmann: The TT Interview
The executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance on how drug policies are making Texas’ criminal justice system “horrific,” and who has the most to gain and lose by amending current drug policies.
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Criminal Justice
Looking Back at Hearings on Health Care Reforms
Here’s a final roundup of Texas reactions to the last day of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic hearings on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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Criminal Justice
Morton Talks About Ordeal, Life After Prison
“Life is really, really good,” said Michael Morton, who was exonerated in the 1986 murder of his wife. He tells the Tribune of his ordeal and his newfound freedom.
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Criminal Justice
“Accountability Works,” Morton Tells “60 Minutes”
On Sunday’s edition of 60 Minutes, Texas exoneree Michael Morton told Lara Logan that it’s not revenge he’s after — it’s accountability.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, Energy, Environment, Health care
Updated Interactive: Texas vs. the Feds
The Texas redistricting case is closed, but Texas still has 17 lawsuits pending against the federal government. This updated interactive includes the latest lawsuit filed regarding the Women’s Health Program.
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Criminal Justice
Court Ruling Could Affect Texas Death Row Cases
A Tuesday U.S. Supreme Court ruling could open the door for claims from at least two Texas death row inmates who argue that their lawyers did shoddy work.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Gets a D+ in Public Integrity Study
Texas has scored a 68 out of 100, placing 27th in a national state integrity study. The state got high marks for auditing and for monitoring pension funds, but not as high for accountability of the governor and legislators.
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Criminal Justice
Abbott Sues Feds Over Women’s Health Program
Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed yet another lawsuit against the federal government, this one, no surprise, over the Women’s Health Program.
