Rodney Ellis leaves Texas Senate with criminal justice legacy
The 2017 legislative session will open without former state Sen. Rodney Ellis, a 26-year lawmaker who became a criminal justice reform titan in the upper chamber. Full Story
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![Retiring Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, listens to testimony during the Senate Committee on State Affairs hearing on religious freedom on Feb. 17, 2016.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
From Michael Morton's Wrongful Conviction to Exoneration (Timeline)
In the 30 years since Christine Morton was murdered, her husband Michael Morton has been wrongfully convicted of killing her and fought for sweeping changes to state law. Look back at his case and the developments since his release. Full Story
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![Michael Morton was released on a personal bond in October 2011 after spending nearly 25 years in prison for murdering his wife. DNA evidence ruled him out as Christine Morton's killer.]()
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How Michael Morton’s Wrongful Conviction Has Brought Others Justice
Thirty years ago, a Williamson County murder set in motion a shoddy prosecution that led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. It's a miscarriage in justice that's still felt in the state's criminal cases. Full Story
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![Michael Morton stands for his February 1987 mugshot (left) and a portrait 25 years later, taken at the Williamson County Courthouse on Feb. 6, 2013.]()
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The Brief: May 12, 2015
The nonprofit group that has been secretly videotaping legislators this session has drawn the scrutiny of the Texas Rangers, the Houston Chronicle reports. Full Story
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Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House Gives Early OK to Expanding DNA Testing
The Texas House on Monday gave early approval to expanding DNA testing in criminal cases, an effort to prevent the incarceration of innocent Texans like Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Senate Bill Would Expand DNA Testing for Criminal Cases
Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for murdering his wife before DNA evidence exonerated him, said he wouldn’t have had access under current testing requirements to the evidence that set him free. A new bill by state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, would expand access to DNA testing in criminal cases. Full Story
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Criminal Discovery Act Brings Costs, Questions
The Michael Morton Act is raising awareness about the importance of discovery in criminal cases, lawyers say. But both prosecutors and defense lawyers agree there are still some kinks to iron out. Full Story
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![Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signs Senate Bill 1611, known as the Michael Morton Act, which requires prosecutors to disclose evidence in criminal cases. Morton served nearly 25 years in prison for his wife's murder before he was exonerated in 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: May 29, 2014
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst won't be around for the next legislative session in January after losing his runoff contest on Tuesday. But he won't be taking the next seven months off as a result. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst waves after speaking to a crowd on primary election night in Houston.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Prosecutors Prepare to Open Their Files
As 2014 approaches, Texas district and county attorneys are preparing to implement a new law that aims to prevent wrongful convictions by requiring prosecutors to open their files to defense lawyers. Full Story
![Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signs Senate Bill 1611, known as the Michael Morton Act, which requires prosecutors to disclose evidence in criminal cases. Morton served nearly 25 years in prison for his wife's murder before he was exonerated in 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Evening Brief: Nov. 15, 2013
Your evening reading: Cornyn earns Perry endorsement, says GOP must govern like "responsible adults"; Anderson released early from jail; two Texas Democrats break ranks with party on GOP bill to fix Affordable Care Act Full Story
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![Sen. John Cornyn and Gov. Rick Perry during Cornyn's reelection campaign kickoff in Austin, Texas on November 15th, 2013]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Evening Brief: Nov. 8, 2013
Your evening reading: Anderson gets jail time; Perry releases national TV ad amid Iowa trip; pro-Hillary Clinton PAC raises $100,000 in San Antonio fundraiser Full Story
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![Judge Ken Anderson (l) and Michael Morton (r)]()
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Anderson to Serve 9 Days in Jail, Give Up Law License as Part of Deal
Ken Anderson, who oversaw Michael Morton’s wrongful murder conviction as a prosecutor, was sentenced to nine days in jail and will surrender his law license as part of a deal to resolve criminal charges and a civil lawsuit. Full Story
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![Former Williamson County State District Judge Ken Anderson walks into the courtroom on Nov. 8, 2013. He was ordered to serve 10 days in jail and was forced to give up his law license.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Judge Ken Anderson Resigns Amid Ethics Lawsuit
Williamson County state district Judge Ken Anderson, who oversaw the wrongful murder conviction of Michael Morton in 1987, has submitted a letter to Gov. Rick Perry resigning his position effective immediately. Full Story
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![Ken Anderson, John Bradley and Rosemary Lehmberg.]()
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State Bar, Anderson Attorneys Make Case to Judge
Parties in a disciplinary case against the prosecutor who pursued Michael Morton’s since-overturned murder conviction will have to wait another week for a decision on whether they will go to trial. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Court Orders New Trial for Dennis Davis
UPDATED: A Texas appeals court on Friday ordered a new trial for Dennis Davis, who is serving 36 years in prison for the 1985 murder of Natalie Antonetti of Austin. Full Story
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![Dennis Davis speaks during an interview at the C. T. Terrell Unit in Rosharon on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Davis is serving 36 years in prison for the 1985 murder of Natalie Antonetti.]()
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From the Tea Party, a Softer Line in Criminal Justice Discussions
Michael Morton’s ubiquitous presence and lobbying spurred lawmakers to tackle criminal justice reforms. But the increased presence of Tea Party Republicans also changed the Legislature’s attitude toward law and order. Full Story
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Perry Signs Michael Morton Act
With exoneree Michael Morton by his side, Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday signed a measure that aims to avoid wrongful convictions by preventing prosecutors from suppressing evidence. Full Story
![Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signs Senate Bill 1611, known as the Michael Morton Act, which requires prosecutors to disclose evidence in criminal cases. Morton served nearly 25 years in prison for his wife's murder before he was exonerated in 2011.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Morton Act, Prosecutor Accountability Bill Head to Governor
House lawmakers on Tuesday approved two bills meant to ensure that wrongful convictions, like the one that Michael Morton behind bars for nearly 25 years, don't happen to others. The measures will stop next on Gov. Rick Perry's desk. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Discovery Bill Vote Comes on Brady Anniversary
On the 50th anniversary of the landmark Brady v. Maryland decision, the Texas House is set to vote on a law that some legal experts say would ensure that the ruling’s tenets are carried out to help prevent wrongful convictions. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Panel Hears Testimony on "Michael Morton Act"
Just more than a week after the arrest of former prosecutor Ken Anderson, a committee of House lawmakers took up the "Michael Morton Act," which would require prosecutors to turn over evidence to defense lawyers in criminal cases. Full Story
![Judge Ken Anderson (l) and Michael Morton (r)]()
Credit: Illustration by Justin Dehn / Callie Richmond
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