GEORGETOWN — 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 and determine whether there is probable cause to press criminal charges of prosecutorial misconduct related to his work in 1987 to secure a wrongful murder conviction that sent Michael Morton to prison for life. Continue Reading »
Issues: Criminal Justice
Ellis Statement on Morton Court of Inquiry Decision
(Austin, Texas)//Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), who attended the proceedings in Williamson County, today released the following statement praising the decision to refer the Michael Morton case to a court of inquiry. Continue Reading »
Editorial: Texan of the Year finalists Rodney Ellis, Pete Gallego
Criminal justice reforms have typically been as popular in the state Capitol as rain on the Fourth of July. Just ask Sen. Rodney Ellis. Continue Reading »
Former Morton Prosecutor Faces Questions on Alleged Misconduct
GEORGETOWN — Former Williamson County district attorney Ken Anderson declined to answer reporters’ questions this morning as he entered a closed courthouse room where he would face Michael Morton and an inquiry into how prosecutors secured a wrongful murder conviction against him 25 years ago. Continue Reading »
Skinner looks to federal court for hope
After 16 years on death row, Hank Skinner is on a run of high-profile and historic victories. Continue Reading »
State Bar of Texas, in rare move, launches Morton investigation
The State Bar of Texas is investigating actions taken by trial prosecutors in the 1987 wrongful conviction of Michael Morton, an official said Wednesday. Continue Reading »
Law professor, UH students collaborate on book detailing flaws in legal system
University of Houston Law Center Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson believes that a new book she compiled with 11 of her students can be a useful tool in reforming the American criminal justice system. Continue Reading »
Move to Quash Morton Investigation Raises Serious Questions
(Austin, Texas)—Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) today released the following statement regarding the latest legal maneuvers in the Michael Morton wrongful conviction case. Continue Reading »
Ellis Statement on Execution of Lawrence Brewer
(Austin, Texas) – Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) today released the following statement on the execution of Lawrence Brewer, convicted of the 1998 hate murder of James Byrd, Jr. in Jasper, Texas. Continue Reading »
Ellis Praises U.S. Supreme Court Intervention in Duane Buck Case
(Austin, Texas)//Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) today praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to stay the execution of Duane Buck. Continue Reading »