Learning From Our Mistakes

Free, but not exonerated, Fran and Dan Keller are the victims of a continuing injustice

"...police during the original investigation – which provided no evidence of any wrongdoing – have never been returned...."

March 11, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

Are Fire Marshals Shirking Their Duty?

Fire experts testify in Willingham wrongful conviction case

"...last week, two nationally recognized fire-science experts roundly discredited evidence that sent Cameron Todd Willingham to the death chamber..."

Oct. 22, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Drug War Blowback

Drug-raid tactics come under increasing scrutiny

"...focuses on attaching a particular suspect (or suspects) to evidence of a suspected crime in order to build the..."

Dec. 21, 2007 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...court's ruling related to our supplemental claim that DNA evidence had been withheld from the defense during trial. The..."

June 7, 2002 Column

Raped Twice?

Virginia Glore asked the APD for a rape test -- instead they're prosecuting her for DWI.

"...had happened that August evening. For her, the empirical evidence dovetailed into an inevitable conclusion: Glore became convinced that..."

Oct. 12, 2001 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Texas to Execute Father Accused of Murdering Child Despite Innocence Argument

Will Gov. Abbott allow Robert Roberson to be put to death?

"...examined by a child abuse pediatrician who found no evidence of sexual abuse. However, the doctor did find what..."

Sept. 27, 2024 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

APD Knew About Moldy Rape Kits Back in April

Moldy rape kits a problem for prosecution, defense, survivors

"...rape kits being stored inside the Austin Police Department's evidence warehouse in East Austin, on more than half of..."

July 7, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Keller Case Returns to Court

Hearing in Austin ritual abuse case questions evidence of sexual abuse

"...a child is sexually abused, there isn't necessarily physical evidence to prove any abuse happened. The lack of any..."

Aug. 30, 2013 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Point Austin: 'This Case Is Different'

Grand jury, citizen review, and now judge suggest officers culpable in Carter shooting

"...2011 Byron Carter shooting, Yeakel summarized the most prominent evidence to explain his denial of Wagner's motion – that..."

May 24, 2013 News Column by Michael King

Lawmakers Urge Pretrial DNA Testing in Death Penalty Cases

AG joins senators in saying measure would speed exonerations

"...In each case the belated testing of evidence from crimes that happened years before has undermined the..."

March 20, 2013 News Post by Jordan Smith

That Dog Don't Hunt

Smelling a rat, appeals court throws out conviction

"...an East Texas man's murder conviction, ruling that the evidence – including that from a so-called "scent lineup" –..."

Oct. 1, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Conduct Unbecoming: Prosecutor Dealt Another Slap

Court finds assistant D.A. withheld evidence

"...engaged in prosecutorial misconduct by failing to turn over evidence favorable to a defendant. According to a May 28..."

June 11, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Ten Seconds to Death

What we know – so far – about the police shooting of Nathaniel Sanders II

"...the grand jury's decision was sound – all the evidence he's seen, he said last week, indicates the shooting..."

Aug. 14, 2009 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Patterson Appeal Denied Again

Thirteenth Court of Appeals denies for second time the appeal of Frederick Patterson, one of 29 black residents in Edna rounded up and charged with dealing crack

"...years in prison without the benefit of any physical evidence connecting him to the alleged crime – like, say,..."

Nov. 10, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Weed Watch

Limbaugh gets caught with illegal Viagra; and U.S. Supreme Court rules that police violation of knock-and-announce rule isn't grounds for suppression of evidence seized

"...rule is not, in itself, grounds for suppressing the evidence seized as the result of a consequent search. In..."

July 14, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Bad Blood

Did the Austin Police Department Shut Down an Investigation of Its Own Cops?

"...filed against any APD officers means there was insufficient evidence to proceed against them...."

Feb. 16, 2001 News Feature by Jordan Smith

A Question of Compassion for Travis County's Family Violence Court

A woman alleged rape. The man she accused went free. Should his attorney run our court?

"...similar laws by the early 1980s. Texas Rules of Evidence 412, which applies to both the prosecution and defense,..."

June 19, 2020 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

BREAKING: U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas Anti-Abortion Law HB 2

In a 5-3 ruling, SCOTUS says HB 2 creates an undue burden for women

"...passing the law, despite the stunning lack of medical evidence backing up the legislation’s necessity. [inset-1]..."

June 27, 2016 News Post by Mary Tuma

Life for Baking Pot? Maybe Not

WilCo drug prosecution lacks probable cause and a warrant

"...out for lack of a warrant and therefore admissible evidence. He filed the necessary paperwork to suppress evidence –..."

July 24, 2014 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

DA Says Swearingen DNA Motion is Stall Tactic

Offer for expedited testing is rejected

"...previously sought DNA testing of the never-before-tested items of evidence – including a length of pantyhose used to strangle..."

Jan. 25, 2013 News Post by Jordan Smith

Group Accuses Morton Prosecutors of Gross Misconduct

Group files grievances with State Bar

"...acts, related to their alleged suppression and concealment of "evidence that tended to negate Mr. Morton's guilt."..."

Nov. 29, 2011 News Post by Jordan Smith

Last-Minute Appeals on Skinner Execution

Skinner denied access to DNA testing

"...Gov. Rick Perry) or the courts demand that the evidence, which could demonstrate that someone else was at the..."

Nov. 4, 2011 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Just Say No!

Rick Perry's approach to sex education has helped Texas boost its teen pregnancy rate

"...Austin LifeCare, teaches incorrectly that there is "virtually no evidence" that condoms reduce the risk of human papillomavirus infection,..."

Oct. 28, 2011 News Feature by Jordan Smith

The Junk Science Conundrum

Legislators ponder how to keep questionable forensics out of the courtroom

"...touched on whether the rules governing the admissibility of evidence in a criminal trial are sufficient to deal with..."

Jan. 22, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

News briefs from Austin, the region, and elsewhere

"...Many Bongs, So Little Space How and where criminal-case evidence is stored was the topic of discussion Sept. 25..."

Oct. 3, 2008 News Feature

Appeals Court Weighs Plea to 'Correct Miscarriage of Justice'

Rodney Reed's fate goes to Criminal Appeals

"...if Reed's Bastrop jury had known of the available evidence in the case, it would not have convicted Reed..."

March 28, 2008 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Reed Appeal Shot Down

Judge says witness testimony challenging state's version of facts in capital murder case against Rodney Reed during a March evidentiary hearing wasn't credible, the testimony probably wouldn't have helped Reed at 1998 trial, and no evidence exists that the Bastrop Co. District Attorney's Office committed misconduct by withholding potential evidence from Reed's defenders

"...Reed at his 1998 trial, and there is no evidence the Bastrop Co. District Attorney's Office committed misconduct by..."

June 30, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Supremes Give Death Row Inmate Another Chance

Supreme Court orders new trial for South Carolina death row inmate, ruling state courts erred by excluding evidence that another man may have committed the crime

"...row inmate, ruling that state courts erred by excluding evidence that another man may have committed the crime. Bobbie..."

May 12, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Another Hearing for Rodney Reed

Death row inmate's case goes back to Bastrop County district court

"...on Reed's claims that prosecutors hid from the court evidence supporting his innocence. On Oct. 19, the Court of..."

Nov. 11, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Justice or Vengeance?

A tale of tragedy and punishment in Williamson County

"...At the very least, Threet's supporters say, new evidence may show that the punishment for a 19-year-old with..."

Nov. 4, 2005 News Feature by Kevin Brass

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