Chairman of Texas forensic science panel oversteps his authority | Editorials & Opinions Fort Worth Star-Telegram November 26, 2009 What is it John Bradley doesn’t want the public to know about the work of the Texas Forensic Science Commission? Gov. Rick Perry appointed Bradley, the Williamson County district attorney, to head the commission in September in a hasty shake-up of the panel’s membership that left lingering suspicions about the governor’s motives. Bradley then proceeded to suggest in a public hearing that the commission might need to operate in secret on occasion. This Editorial Board cautioned against that idea on Nov.Continue readingChairman of Texas forensic science panel oversteps his authority | Editorials & Opinions | Star…

New forensic commission e-mail policy goes in ‘wrong direction,’ lawmaker says BY DAVE MONTGOMERY dmontgomery@star-telegram.com AUSTIN — Members of a state commission examining the case of Cameron Todd Willingham have been asked to delete e-mail correspondence, a policy that came under attack Friday from a state senator who helped create the 4-year-old agency. The Texas Forensic Science Commission has drawn national attention over an inquiry to determine whether a flawed arson investigation led to Willingham’s execution in 2004. John Bradley, who took over as chairman of the revamped commission Sept. 30, told state senators this month that the commission mustContinue readingNew forensic commission e-mail policy goes in ‘wrong direction,’ lawmaker says

CSI: Texas: Governor shakes up commission, covers tracks | Editorial Houston Chronicle November 17, 2009 Try to imagine how the writers and actors of the three popular CSI: Crime Scene Investigation dramas on TV would handle this story line: After numerous wrongful convictions of innocent Texans using flawed evidence, particularly in cases processed at the Houston Police Crime Lab, in 2005 the state Legislature mandated the creation of the Texas Forensic Science Commission to examine the work of crime scene investigators and the quality of forensic science practiced here. One of the first cases tackled by the nine-member commission (including sevenContinue readingCSI: Texas: Governor shakes up commission, covers tracks

Texas attorney says his client was wrongly executed, after a flawed system disregarded critical evidence. – KDAF WACO, TX – Walter Reaves won’t forget the flood of feelings that came over him when Texas executed Cameron Todd Willingham five years ago “It was just a range of emotions, but I was mostly just mad”. Willingham was put to death for setting a fire that killed his three young daughters. The Waco attorney represented Willingham in his final appeals, where he says he got to know the convicted killer. Reaves says Willingham didn’t seem like the type who would hurt his ownContinue readingVideo: Texas attorney Walter Reaves says Todd Willingham was Innocent

Texas Moratorium Network: Live Tuesday on the Internet: Watch the Hearing in the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice about the Texas Forensic Science Commission In Austin Tuesday morning, the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice will question John Bradley, the newly appointed chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission, about the panel’s ongoing work. Before Gov. Rick Perry replaced four commission members, the panel was in the process of reviewing forensic evidence used against Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2004. Click here to watch the hearing live Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. CST (11 a.m. EST) IfContinue readingLive Tuesday on the Internet: Watch the Hearing in the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice about the Texas Forensic Science Commission

Texas resists familys effort to clear executed mans name – CNN.com Todd Willingham said he was innocent but was executed in February 2004 for the arson murders of his family. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Todd Willingham was executed by lethal injection in Texas in February, 2004 To the end, he denied setting the fire that killed his wife and kids His other relatives are fighting to clear his name Case creates controversy as governor resists and arson experts are challenged Ardmore, Oklahoma (CNN) — Cameron Todd Willingham’s family here in Oklahoma never believed he set the fire that killed his three daughters.Continue readingCNN: Texas resists familys effort to clear executed mans name

Richie: For Perry, its self before service Monday, November 02, 2009 When Gov. Rick Perry took the oath of office, he swore to “preserve, protect and defend” the laws and people of Texas. The governor might as well have sworn to preserve, protect and defend his political interests at all costs, because every time he has to choose between doing what’s best for Texans or his politics, Perry chooses himself. This fall, Perry is at it again, spurring concerns about a political cover-up by abruptly replacing three Texas Forensic Science Commission members without warning just days before they were toContinue readingRichie: For Perry, its self before service