Murder Cases Put "Junk Science" in the Spotlight
Michael Morton's tragic wrongful conviction for his wife's murder 25 years ago illustrates the best and worst of science in the courtroom, a judge said on Monday. Full Story
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![Michael Morton stands in a Williamson County courtroom with his attorneys after murder charges against him were officially dropped.]()
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Updated: Morton Seeks Inquiry of Former Prosecutor
When Michael Morton is officially cleared of wrongful murder charges on Monday, his lawyers will try to do something unprecedented: They will ask for a special inquiry into former prosecutor Ken Anderson's role in his conviction. Full Story
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Executions, Death Sentences Drop in Texas, Nation
Leading a national downward trend in the use of the death penalty, Texas has executed just 13 prisoners so far in 2011, the lowest number in more than a decade. And juries meted out only eight new death sentences. Full Story
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![This gurney is used to perform executions at Terre Haute by lethal injection.]()
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It's "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Vote" at Election Time
Voters choose dozens of important state officials without knowing a thing about them. So they rely on other cues — like political affiliations, pleasing names and who knows what else. Full Story
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Video: Dogs' Evidence Stands as Woman Waits in Prison
The dog-sniffing evidence that led to the conviction of her father for conspiring to commit murder was unreliable enough for him to be released from prison. So why is his daughter, Megan Winfrey, serving a life sentence for the same crime based largely on the same evidence? Full Story
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Dogs' Evidence Stands as Woman Waits in Prison
If the dog-sniffing evidence that led to the conviction of her father for conspiring to commit murder was unreliable enough for him to be released from prison, why is Megan Winfrey still serving a life sentence for the same crime based largely on the same evidence? Full Story
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![Murray Burr (l) and Megan Winfrey]()
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Weekend Insider: Need for Foster Care, Family Accused of Murder
In this episode of Weekend Insider, Claire Cardona explains the rise in the state's need for foster care, and Brandi Grissom introduces us to a family accused of murder. Full Story
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In Deposition, Morton DA Can't Recall Details
Judge Ken Anderson, the former prosecutor who saw to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton, said during a marathon deposition that he remembered few of the details from the 25-year-old case and that he did nothing wrong. Full Story
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![Judge and former prosecutor Ken Anderson speaks about the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton.]()
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Lawyer Group Files Grievances Against Morton Prosecutors
A coalition of lawyers today filed grievances with the State Bar of Texas against former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson, his former assistant Mike Davis and current District Attorney John Bradley. Full Story
![Judge and former prosecutor Ken Anderson speaks about the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton.]()
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Anderson Denies Wrongdoing in Morton Murder Case
Former prosecutor Ken Anderson says he is anguished over Michael Morton's wrongful conviction. But he strenuously denied allegations that he intentionally withheld any evidence in 1987 that would have cleared Morton. Full Story
![Judge and former prosecutor Ken Anderson speaks about the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton.]()
Credit: Justin Dehn -
Video: Sheriff Statement on Norwood Arrest
Williamson County Sheriff's Office Sgt. John Foster holds a press conference Wednesday after the arrest of Mark Alan Norwood, a suspect whose DNA has been linked to the 1986 murder of Christine Morton and the 1988 murder of Debra Masters Baker. Full Story
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Updated: Suspect in Morton Case Arrested
Mark Alan Norwood, a 57-year-old Bastrop resident, was arrested today and charged with the 1986 murder of Christine Morton. Michael Morton, her husband, was exonerated of her murder last month after spending nearly 25 years in prison. Full Story
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![Mark Norwood mug shot from arrest Nov. 9, 2011]()
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The Weekly TribCast: Episode 105
On this week's TribCast, Ross, Reeve, Brandi, and Jay review the latest criminal justice headlines, consider the difference between news and gossip in light of the latest Herman Cain developments, and explain what's going on with redistricting. Full Story
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Former Assistant DA Deflects Blame in Morton Case
Mike Davis, a former assistant district attorney in Williamson County, pointed the finger for any alleged wrongdoing that led to the conviction of Michael Morton directly at his former boss, Ken Anderson. Full Story
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![Former Williamson County district attorney Ken Anderson on his way to give testimony in the Michael Morton case.]()
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Grants Stay for Hank Skinner
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today granted a stay of execution for Hank Skinner, who has been seeking DNA testing for a decade. Skinner was set to be executed on Wednesday. Full Story
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Skinner, Running Out of Time, Awaits DNA Ruling From Skeptical Court
Facing a Wednesday execution date, convicted murderer Hank Skinner is again appealing to the state's highest criminal court to allow for new DNA tests he says could exonerate him. But the court previously has ruled against him — twice. Full Story
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Morton Investigator, Medical Examiner Testimony Released
Testimony from the Williamson County sergeant who led the investigation that resulted in Michael Morton's wrongful conviction was made public Friday, along with statements of the medical examiner refuting allegations prosecutors made during the trial. Full Story
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![Michael Morton sits beside his mother, Patricia Morton, during an emotional press conference after a judge agreed to release him on personal bond after he spent nearly 25 years in prison for the murder of his wife.]()
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Lower Court Denies Skinner DNA Test, Appeal Planned
A Gray County District Court today denied DNA testing that death row inmate Hank Skinner has been seeking for a decade. Skinner's lawyers plan to appeal the decision. His execution is scheduled for Wednesday. Full Story
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Updated: Ex Morton Prosecutor Loses Testimony Fight
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied a request from former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson to keep him from providing testimony in an investigation of what led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. Full Story
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![Michael Morton sits beside his mother, Patricia Morton, during an emotional press conference in October 2011 after a judge agreed to release him on personal bond after he spent nearly 25 years in prison for the murder of his wife. Recently tested DNA indicates another man committed the 1986 killing.]()
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From Botched Morton Case, Hope Emerges in Cold Murder Inquiry
Jesse and Caitlin Baker recently learned of the most dramatic development in the mystery of their mother's murder in nearly two decades of probing for clues. The DNA discovery has prompted new hopes for long-awaited answers. Full Story
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Credit: Axel Gerdau