Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,219 posts)
Mon Apr 22, 2013, 05:43 PM Apr 2013

Lawmakers call for commission to probe wrongful convictions

Source: Houston Chronicle

Lawmakers call for commission to probe wrongful convictions
Monday, April 22, 2013

The State of Texas has found at least 117 prisoners innocent of crimes for which they were convicted in the past 25 years and a bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to know why errors were made.

The group, led by state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and state Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, detailed their plan, HB 166, to create a state agency to review errors in Texas exoneration cases at a press conference Monday. The proposal, which will be considered by the House on Tuesday, would create the Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission.

“Texas has been showcased as the number one state in the nation for wrongful convictions,” McClendon said. “Each conviction of an innocent person reveals a tragic failure of the justice system.”

The focus of the commission would be to bring an end to wrongful convictions in the state, she said, but the agency could only review past exoneration cases and finalized habeas corpus cases. The commission would not re-open cases or interfere with ongoing investigations, she said.


Read more: http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2013/04/lawmakers-call-for-commission-to-probee-wrongful-convictions/

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Lawmakers call for commission to probe wrongful convictions (Original Post) Judi Lynn Apr 2013 OP
Gov Don Seigelman should be high on the list as well as the Verison CEO that rhett o rick Apr 2013 #1
Thank you for reminding us about Don Siegelman. Railroaded. It DOES happen! nt patrice Apr 2013 #4
Prediction: Republicans will block this. kestrel91316 Apr 2013 #2
Wow! patrice Apr 2013 #3
 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
1. Gov Don Seigelman should be high on the list as well as the Verison CEO that
Mon Apr 22, 2013, 07:12 PM
Apr 2013

got railroaded because he wouldnt play ball with DimSon's illegal telephone spying.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Lawmakers call for commis...