Survey: Youths in State Lockup Concerned Over Violence by Their Peers
A new survey of youths at the Giddings State School finds they feel safe and hopeful about their future but still worry about violence by other youths. Full Story
Brandi Grissom worked at the Tribune from its launch in 2009 until 2014, rising to the rank of managing editor. In addition to editing duties, Grissom led the Tribune's coverage of criminal justice issues. During her tenure at the Tribune, she was chosen as a 2012 City University of New York Center on Media, Crime and Justice/H.F. Guggenheim Journalism Fellow and was a fellow at the 2012 Journalist Law School at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Grissom, along with Tribune multimedia producer Justin Dehn, received a 2012 regional Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting for work on the case of Megan Winfrey, who was acquitted of murder in February 2013 after the Trib’s coverage brought statewide attention the case. Grissom joined the Tribune after four years at the El Paso Times, where she acted as a one-woman Capitol bureau. Grissom won the Associated Press Managing Editors First-Place Award in 2007 for using the Freedom of Information Act to report stories on a variety of government programs and entities, and the ACLU of Texas named her legislative reporter of the year in 2007 for her immigration reporting. She previously served as managing editor at The Daily Texan and has worked for the Alliance Times-Herald, the Taylor Daily Press, the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung and The Associated Press. A native of Alliance, Neb., she has a degree in history from the University of Texas.
A new survey of youths at the Giddings State School finds they feel safe and hopeful about their future but still worry about violence by other youths. Full Story
A federal judge said in a recent ruling that he has serious concerns about whether Rob Will committed the murder he was sent to death row for, but the law prevented him from doing anything about it. Full Story
Police never identified the tall, thin, long-haired man who more than 20 years ago beat Debi Scott with a rotten log as she slept. She thinks her attacker was probably Mark Norwood, who is in Williamson County Jail awaiting trial on a murder charge. Full Story
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department's independent ombudsman in a letter said she took seriously advocates' request for an investigation and that she would conduct a thorough study. She expects to produce a report within six months. Full Story
A Williamson County judge will consider silencing parties to the murder case against Mark Alan Norwood. He is charged with the 1986 beating death of Christine Morton, whose husband spent nearly 25 years in prison for the crime. Full Story
A Tribune report on increasing youth-on-youth violence at Texas Juvenile Justice Department facilities has advocates calling for an investigation into systemic problems at the agency. Full Story
Tarrant County state district Judge Louis Sturns will lead a court of inquiry to investigate allegations of criminal misconduct against former prosecutor Ken Anderson in the wrongful murder conviction of Michael Morton. Full Story
The Texas attorney general's office is advising agencies that serve crime victims to prepare for big cuts during the next budget cycle because of a severe shortfall projected for the state's crime victims fund. Full Story
Five years ago, lawmakers implemented reforms they hoped would make juvenile correctional facilities safe in Texas. The data shows youths are safer from staff, but often not from one another. Full Story
Judge Sid Harle said today he will recommend that Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson convene a court of inquiry to review a slew of evidence against former Williamson County prosecutor Ken Anderson. Full Story