UPDATED: Death Watch: Most Notorious

Serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells scheduled for execution

"...federal district judge in Houston has stayed the execution of serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells and that of another..."

April 2, 2014 News Post by Jordan Smith

Perry Issues Emergency Items Request

Governor asks lege for more cash for hurricane insurance, state schools, and high-tech detectors for police

"...So is the state of Texas out of cash or not? While Lt. Gov...."

Feb. 3, 2009 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Who Fired Tony Fabelo?

Last year's veto of the Criminal Justice Policy Council reflects a private agenda at the governor's office

"...Last spring's dismissal by Gov. Rick Perry of Tony Fabelo, head of the state's Criminal Justice Policy..."

April 30, 2004 News Feature by Lucius Lomax

Plantations to Prison Farms: How Far Have We Come?

Texas’ tradition of forced labor lives on

"...a 90-degree June day at Memorial Unit in Southeast Texas, the humidity makes the heat cling to your skin...."

June 14, 2024 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

José Garza Calls for Jail Changes To Reduce COVID-19 Danger

D.A. candidate calls for fewer arrests, more releases

"...District Attorney, called on city and county law enforcement officials to radically change the way they administer criminal justice..."

March 16, 2020 News Post by Brant Bingamon

Death Watch: A Mother Set to Die

Melissa Lucio says she didn't kill her daughter and half of the Texas House of Representatives agree

"...By the fifth hour of the interrogation, Melissa Lucio had begun to repeat back..."

April 8, 2022 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

TDCJ Fails to Protect Prisoners From Extreme Heat

At least 14 have died since 2007

"...In 2010, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Risk Management Division reminded employees..."

April 23, 2014 News Post by Jordan Smith

Grim History

Author traces Texas prison system from its roots in plantation slavery

"...Earlier this year, historian Robert Perkinson published Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire (Henry Holt..."

Aug. 20, 2010 News Feature by Michael King

Solitary at 11, Dead at 16: One Kid’s Path to Adult Prison

Texas may pass a bill that would put more teenagers in prison with adults

"...Roadhouse Family Diner in Paris, Texas, is on Main Street, which is also U.S. Highway..."

May 23, 2025 News Feature by Maggie Quinlan

No Visible Suffering

The Texas executions continue, amidst new questions about pain and suffering

"...KaSheena Hooks drove to Huntsville from the small town of Fred, Texas, with her husband, her sister and brother-in-law,..."

Feb. 6, 2004 News Feature by Rita Radostitz

DOJ Declares FDA Unable to Regulate Execution Drugs

Ruling could put an end to the legal fight between Texas and the FDA

"...The U.S. Department of Justice may have put an end to a..."

May 17, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Capitol Chronicle

Despite John Cornyn's jokes and the end of the Ruiz suit, Texas prisons still need reform.

"...be a Democrat." Cornyn was preaching to the choir, of course -- almost literally in this case -- and..."

June 21, 2002 News Column by Michael King

Smart Enough to Die

In 2002, the Supreme Court banned the death penalty for mentally retarded defendants. Still, Texas finds a way.

"...assaults, shootings, and, ultimately, in February 1998, the murder of a well-liked local fireman...."

April 19, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

A Whacked-Out System

Inmate's lawsuit focuses on secret and unreasonable Texas paroles

"...Harris County for stealing – or, specifically under the Texas penal code, for "theft by check." He'd never been..."

March 30, 2007 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Now Serving ... Time

Robert Conran sat down to dinner at Furr's, and walked out in handcuffs. After four years in prison on a shaky conviction, he's got a chance of parole -- then he faces deportation

"...Robert Conran is standing in the inmate visiting room of the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice's Segovia Unit prison,..."

June 29, 2001 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Deep Blues From Gatesville

Amy Smith thought a judge would give her two years max for possession of crack cocaine; why is she doing 20?

"...that Amy would get the maximum penalty for possession of $20 worth of crack cocaine, or $40 worth if..."

March 16, 2001 News Feature by Amy Smith

Unpardonable

The Bush record of 'compassionate conservatism' is amply illustrated by his clemency record in Texas

"...governor. He didn't try to invade Mexico on his Texas watch, after all. He didn't brazenly curtail civil liberties..."

June 11, 2004 News Feature by Lucius Lomax

No Mercy

The case of James Allridge raises familiar questions about the Texas justice system

"...On August 26, Texas is scheduled to execute James Allridge III for the..."

Aug. 20, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Who Killed Stacey Stites?

A re-examination of a Bastrop murder case leaves many unanswered questions.

"...In May of 1998, a Bastrop County jury convicted Bastrop resident Rodney..."

May 24, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Death Watch: A Future Danger?

Texas' death chamber is only heating up

"...Kosoul Chanthakoummane’s execution until July 19. Jason Clark, director of public information at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice,..."

Jan. 20, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Framing the Guilty?

Houston police thought they had their man – so the evidence was no problem

"...26, 1988, when a man flagged down two police officers near a Fuddruckers restaurant in far West Houston. The..."

Nov. 2, 2012 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Those Who Are About to Die

Your Texas death machine gets rolling again

"...A Nation of Laws?Scheduled for Execution Aug. 5: José Medellín..."

Aug. 1, 2008 News Feature by Jordan Smith

We're No. 1!

Texas prepares to mark its 300th contemporary execution.

"...Some time in March or April, the state of Texas will mark another contemporary milestone in capital punishment...."

Feb. 21, 2003 News Column by Michael King

Death Watch: Meth, Madness, and Death

Capital case tests limits of insanity defense

"...would say that Kent Sprouse had been acting differently of late – that he'd begun seeing and hearing things..."

April 3, 2015 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

TDCJ’s Bryan Collier Challenged at Public Meeting

Families and advocates complain of death, misery in the state’s prison system

"...One after another, the family of Jovian Motley – his father, grandmother, uncle, and cousins..."

May 3, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Babies Behind Bars

In the mirror world of TDCJ, life goes on

"...Last year in Texas prisons there were 399 attempted suicides – 16 successful..."

July 16, 2004 News Feature by Lucius Lomax

We Have an Issue: Never Boring

In this week's issue, Lina Fisher examines the uncertain environmental impacts of Tesla and the Boring Co. on the Colorado River

"...anything and anyone to make a buck? The "truth" of Elon Musk – no stranger to misinformation – surely..."

Aug. 11, 2023 Column by Kimberley Jones

Death Watch: Execution Stayed Until TDCJ Makes New Spiritual Adviser Rules

State's neglect also places Stephen Barbee at risk of torture

"...It often takes years for Texas prison officials to change their..."

Nov. 11, 2022 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Death Watch: Lucky 13?

The state on pace for a baker's dozen of executions by year end

"...If all goes according to the state's plan, Texas will have executed 13 inmates by 2018's end. After..."

Dec. 7, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Death Watch: Running Low on Poison

The state of Texas has three executions' worth of pentobarbitol

"...As scheduled, the state of Texas carried out its 11th execution of the year..."

Aug. 9, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

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