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For first time ever, Innocence Project to appear in court on behalf of a prosecutor
FineWhateverItsRICOHat Retweeted:Let prosecutors with integrity know that they've got people backing them up.
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For the first time ever, we will be appearing in court on behalf of a prosecutor. Texas prosecutor Eric Hillman was wrongly fired when he refused to follow an illegal order to hide potentially exculpatory evidence from a defendant. Learn more:
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News 10.29.18
Wednesday: Oral Arguments in Innocence Project Case on Behalf of Fired Prosecutor
By Innocence Staff
Press Contact: Carlita Salazar, 347-229-2070
(October 26, 2018) – Innocence Project attorneys will argue Wednesday, October 31, 2018 in Texas Supreme Court on behalf of a former Texas prosecutor who was wrongly fired when he refused to follow an illegal order to hide potentially exculpatory evidence from a defendant.
Eric Hillman was an Assistant District Attorney in Nueces County who unfairly lost his job in January 2014 after he found an independent witness who was not included in police reports from an intoxication assault prosecution. Hillman, who also served as a Harris County (Houston) police officer for 21 years, was ordered by a DA’s Office supervisor to keep the information about the witness to himself, saying it did not have to be turned over to defense lawyers because it came from an independent investigation.
After he was fired for refusing to “follow orders,” Hillman sued to get his job back, arguing that Texas law should protect prosecutors who refuse to break the law and hide evidence that aids the defense. Earlier this year, the Innocence Project and the Innocence Project of Texas urged the Texas Supreme Court to take up Hillman’s case, arguing in a friend of the court brief that these employment protections are critical to ensuring that innocent persons are not wrongly convicted.
This is the first time in its twenty-seven year history that the Innocence Project has appeared in court or filed a brief on behalf of a current or former prosecutor.
....
Wednesday: Oral Arguments in Innocence Project Case on Behalf of Fired Prosecutor
By Innocence Staff
Press Contact: Carlita Salazar, 347-229-2070
(October 26, 2018) – Innocence Project attorneys will argue Wednesday, October 31, 2018 in Texas Supreme Court on behalf of a former Texas prosecutor who was wrongly fired when he refused to follow an illegal order to hide potentially exculpatory evidence from a defendant.
Eric Hillman was an Assistant District Attorney in Nueces County who unfairly lost his job in January 2014 after he found an independent witness who was not included in police reports from an intoxication assault prosecution. Hillman, who also served as a Harris County (Houston) police officer for 21 years, was ordered by a DA’s Office supervisor to keep the information about the witness to himself, saying it did not have to be turned over to defense lawyers because it came from an independent investigation.
After he was fired for refusing to “follow orders,” Hillman sued to get his job back, arguing that Texas law should protect prosecutors who refuse to break the law and hide evidence that aids the defense. Earlier this year, the Innocence Project and the Innocence Project of Texas urged the Texas Supreme Court to take up Hillman’s case, arguing in a friend of the court brief that these employment protections are critical to ensuring that innocent persons are not wrongly convicted.
This is the first time in its twenty-seven year history that the Innocence Project has appeared in court or filed a brief on behalf of a current or former prosecutor.
....
