Sometimes emotions run so deep they are difficult to put into words. Consequently, when County Progress visited with Charles Allen Chatman about the 26-plus years he spent in a Texas prison for a crime he didn't commit, the interview was punctuated with long, thoughtful … [Read more...] about Wrongful Conviction
Jails
The County Role in Preventing Erroneous Imprisonment
Several months ago Gregg County Commissioner Darryl Primo launched efforts to form a committee to recommend adoption of a Biological Evidence Retention Policy for Gregg County in accordance with Article 38.43 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Touched by the plight of those wrongfully convicted … [Read more...] about The County Role in Preventing Erroneous Imprisonment
Fort Bend County to Establish Mental Health Public Defender Office
At its June meeting the Task Force on Indigent Defense (Task Force) awarded $517,824 to Fort Bend County to establish a mental health public defender office to serve indigent defendants with mental illness. "Mentally ill defendants present special challenges to their attorneys, as well as to the criminal courts system," said Sharon Keller, presiding judge of the Court of … [Read more...] about Fort Bend County to Establish Mental Health Public Defender Office
New Garza County Facility Open for Business
The citizens of Post and Garza County have long been made up of pioneer stock … [Read more...] about New Garza County Facility Open for Business
Fannin County Jail Facility Nears Completion
About four years ago, Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore was sitting around his cramped office knowing he needed help to do his job the right way. Take, for instance, his outdated jail facility. At full strength he could have 22 deputies answer to him, yet stacked shoulder to shoulder all would barely fit in the current office space, and there was really no functional way to … [Read more...] about Fannin County Jail Facility Nears Completion