Texas opens court of inquiry into claims of prosecutor misconduct

[Brewman_Jax]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/natio...0542.story

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/05/171138333/...cutor-lied

From the article:

Quote:...

(Michael) Morton, 58, who grew up in Los Angeles, was convicted in the 1986 beating death of his wife, Christine, at their home. He was exonerated and released almost a year and a half ago after DNA tests confirmed his innocence. Another man has since been charged in connection with the killing.

Now the man who prosecuted Morton, Williamson County District Judge Ken Anderson, faces an unprecedented “court of inquiry” about 30 miles north of Austin in which a judge will decide whether the then-district attorney lied and concealed evidence that could have cleared Morton.

It is the first time the state has convened such a hearing for prosecutorial misconduct. Although part of Texas law since 1965, the court of inquiry has typically been used to consider allegations against elected officials. Some hope this week’s hearing will lead to a greater examination of alleged misconduct by prosecutors not just in Texas, but nationwide.

“This is going to be a significant case for prosecutorial misconduct. It could lead to judges giving more specific orders about turning over evidence,” said Barry Scheck, co-founder of the New York-based Innocence Project, who attended Monday’s hearing.

...

Again, another case of prosecutorial misconduct has cost an innocent man his freedom and most of his lifespan. The laws need to be changed to prevent immunity from lying D.A.'s and cops so they can't pad their conviction rates for political gain or any other lame reasoning. If the gov't officials know that they'll be spending at least double the sentence caused by their misconduct, the misconduct will come to a rapid halt. If nothing else, hopefully Morton will sue the municipality and Anderson directly. Anderson should NOT be looking forward to a comfortable retirement.

[SeattleGirl]

Good!

[DFW]

That this could happen at all in Texas is an amazing bit of progress. Had this been the situation ten years ago, maybe that guy who was executed for the arson deaths of his family would never have been charged, much less killed. I'd love to see the D.A. and the cops responsible for this guy's execution tried for murder.