Where's Your Evidence?

Advances in forensic science have made physical evidence increasingly crucial in criminal justice – but the practice of preserving and maintaining that evidence is often underfunded, poorly managed, or just plain sloppy

"...prosecutors – in Gray County and the attorney general's office – for the right to DNA-test certain items of..."

Feb. 15, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Fairness, Consistency, Safety

Rosemary Lehmberg defends her record

"...Rosemary Lehmberg: Lots. You know, one of the things I've tried to do – not only..."

Jan. 20, 2012 News Feature

A Quarrel With the Status Quo

Charlie Baird on criminal justice, equity, and the Travis County D.A.

"...the courthouse every day and not worry about all of these other issues. I just can't do that from..."

Jan. 20, 2012 News Feature

On the Lege

Austin Rep. Elliott Naishtat is leading charges to protect both seniors and children this session

"...capped under the state constitution, they were shut out of the tax breaks lawmakers approved in a special session..."

Feb. 23, 2007 News Column by Amy Smith

Beaten by Wackenhut

A former Travis County inmate alleges that Wackenhut Corporation bears responsibility for his prison beating.

"...minor drug possession charge. In 1998, for a first-time offense of possession of cocaine, Prater was sentenced to a..."

July 5, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Death Watch: One Man Spared, Another Set to Die

Mark Robertson seeks stay due to racist lawyer

"...Update: In light of the stay granted to Patrick Murphy by the U.S...."

April 5, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Will 'Safe-P' and TDCJ Be Held Accountable?

Legislative committee will hear testimony on a controversial substance abuse treatment program

"...A SAFPF day of reckoning may be at hand...."

July 18, 2008 News Feature by Patricia J. Ruland

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...Quote of the Week "It is ironic that several of these..."

Dec. 30, 2005 News Feature

Harangued in Huntsville

Officers from the Office of the Inspector General arrest a political activist for asking a question. There, now don't you feel safer?

"...be arrested -- especially for asking a question. Yet officers from the Office of the Inspector General -- the..."

Sept. 13, 2002 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Withhold federal money until police resolve race crisis, group demands

"...The Austin chapter of the NAACP is asking the U.S. Deptartment of Justice..."

June 25, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Headlines and Happenings from Austin and Beyond

"...Quote of the Week "It's like former Mayor Kirk Watson is..."

Oct. 20, 2006 News Feature

Prisoners' Rights Crusader Ruiz Dies

David Ruiz, the Texas prison inmate whose name became synonymous with state prison reform, died Nov. 12 at the TDCJ hospital in Galveston.

"...David Ruiz, the Texas prison inmate whose name became synonymous with state prison..."

Nov. 25, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Happenings from Austin and beyond

"...HeadlinesQuote of the Week: "It's refreshing. I feel like we have..."

Jan. 7, 2005 News Feature by Lee Nichols

Naked City

Why does the West Texas sheep town contain the brain of state government?

"...Austin may be the heart of Texas, but as time passes, the city -- cell..."

Oct. 24, 2003 News Feature by Lucius Lomax

Ricky Smith Tried to Escape Prison Three Times. Is 30 Years In Solitary Confinement Enough?

His last attempt was in 1993

"...be allowed to reenter general population somewhere in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison system, where he’s been..."

March 22, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Council Preview: Automatic License Plate Readers to Return?

Advocates call on CMs to just say no to controversial program

"...A coalition of criminal justice and privacy advocates have called on City..."

Aug. 30, 2022 News Post by Austin Sanders

Death Watch: Quiet on Death Row

Pandemic halts the sputtering execution machine

"...skewed the numbers but they're eye-popping nonetheless. In 2020, Texas – the leading practitioner of capital punishment in the..."

Dec. 25, 2020 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Death Row Inmate Hoping for Supreme Intervention

Original defense attorney called no witnesses and presented no mitigating evidence

"...The Court of Criminal Appeals last week denied a stay of execution..."

Sept. 14, 2012 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Capitol Chronicle

The people advising state government "belt-tightening" never seem to have very tight belts.

"...in the seat cushions between November and January, pushing Texas' shortfall to $9.9 billion. Since that moment, the prevailing..."

Feb. 14, 2003 News Column by Michael King

Nowhere to Go

The struggles of homeless teenagers and young adults often go overlooked in Austin

"...at 17 years old. She was heading to Lubbock, Texas, where she had a few distant relatives, but ended..."

Nov. 6, 2015 News Feature by Makeda Easter

Williamson County Injustice

Morton attorneys call for court of inquiry

"...The best and worst of the criminal justice system was on display in the..."

Dec. 21, 2011 News Post by Jordan Smith

Shedding Light on Prisoners' Rights

HIV/AIDS awareness group trying to make case for prisoners' right to condom access

"...Despite the chorus of kazoos playing taps and the giant banner that read..."

Jan. 26, 2007 News Feature by Diana Welch

State Admits Execution Drug Is Expired, Doesn’t Really Care

Wesley Ruiz likely to be killed with painful drug next week

"...District Judge Catherine Mauzy tried to keep Texas from killing Robert Fratta. At a Jan. 10 hearing..."

Jan. 27, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Lege Ponders "Jails 'R' Us"

Lege proposals to privatize jails may not be the cost-cutter supporters claim.

"...In the area of criminal justice, tight budgets can be both painful and..."

April 18, 2003 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The State Claims No One Is Dying From 120+° F Heat in Prisons

Part 2: The state’s response to the prison heat crisis

"...up on the wall and covered by a piece of black electrical tape so the prisoners couldn't read it...."

Aug. 18, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Death Watch: Supreme Court Halts John Henry Ramirez's Execution Over Religious Freedom Appeal

Court will hear Ramirez's case for pastor's touch during execution this fall

"...put to death on Sept. 8 for the killing of Corpus Christi convenience store clerk Pablo Castro in 2004...."

Sept. 24, 2021 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Red River Clubs Grapple With Downtown Homelessness

Beggars, hustlers, and dealers make you wonder how Downtown music keeps from going under

"...need?" asks the bent-back man staring at the hands of every night owl. Excuse me? "What you need, man?"..."

Feb. 3, 2017 News Feature by Kevin Curtin

Death Watch: A Drug Shortage

How will Texas kill people if it runs out of the drugs to do it?

"...execution last Wed­nes­day didn't just mark the fourth such Texas-approved killing in 2015's first 10 weeks; it coincided as..."

March 20, 2015 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

Top 10 State Stories

Obamacare provoked, a star was born, and the Tea Party kept on steeping.

"...1) SCORCHED EARTH Texas' deadly drought has softened, but not ended. According to..."

Jan. 3, 2014 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Freedom for the Kellers

Fran and Dan released after 21 years for 'satanic abuse'

"...still believe ever actually happened, Frances Keller walked out of the Travis County Jail, freed on a personal bond...."

Dec. 6, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

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