Wrongfully convicted

[Fishy]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mich...iminal_justice)

http://www.innocenceproject.org/cases-false-imprisonment/michael-morton

Michael Morton was convicted and sentenced to prison for the murder of his wife in 1986. Even though neighbors saw a green van casing the home and the 3 year old son who witnessed the murder, the prosecutor found a way to get Morton convicted. It has since become known that the then sheriff, was the one that talked the DA into charging Morton with murder and only pursuing him and not any other suspects. The prosecutor also withheld evidence which pointed to Morton's innocence, but the then judge was said to not have known this.

The sister of the deceased ended up raising, Eric, Morton's son. It also turns out that the prosecutor had a close relationship with the deceased mother's family.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/category/topics/michael-morton/

The DA attempted to block Morton's attorneys from using DNA evidence as proof of his innocence.

[muzzlebrake]

Sounds like the DA and the Sheriff should spend a life sentence in the cell with Big Bubba.

[akey]

It was probably a one armed man.

[reconman]

Scary stuff! I believe they should convict and sentence the prosecution and all involved for supressing key evidence!

[jmeghunts]

This is a pretty old story and we now have the Michael Morton Act which prevents most of what happened. What is the point of this post? Before you answer, I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, just curious as to why you are bringing this up.

[Ironman]

Sounds like the DA and the Sheriff should spend a life sentence in the cell with Big Bubba.

If it's proven he is innocent, and they KNOWINGLY convicted an innocent man.....a life sentence isn't enough!

[Fishy]

This is a pretty old story and we now have the Michael Morton Act which prevents most of what happened. What is the point of this post? Before you answer, I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, just curious as to why you are bringing this up.

Not everyone knows about it. There are still people out there alive who have been wrongfully convicted. Their families have been impacted by it. It doesn't just end. The ramifications still go on.

[Man]

Not everyone knows about it. There are still people out there alive who have been wrongfully convicted. Their families have been impacted by it. It doesn't just end. The ramifications still go on.

Is he family? Do you know someone who is wrongfully convicted? Where are you going with this post?

[Drycreek3189]

Just because you wear a badge or tote some law books, does not make you honest. I've had a little personal experiences along those lines, and it has made me a little leary of law officers and lawyers.

[Speedgoat]

Not everyone knows about it. There are still people out there alive who have been wrongfully convicted. Their families have been impacted by it. It doesn't just end. The ramifications still go on.

Something sounds Fishy to me

[Ironman]

Just because you wear a badge or tote some law books, does not make you honest. I've had a little personal experiences along those lines, and it has made me a little leary of law officers and lawyers.

As have I.

[DOUBLE.A]

Yep. I heard about this. Pretty similar to the making a murderer Steve Avery situation.

[CabezaBlanca]

Just because you wear a badge or tote some law books, does not make you honest. I've had a little personal experiences along those lines, and it has made me a little leary of law officers and lawyers.

As have I.

You are not alone.

[Fishy]

Is he family? Do you know someone who is wrongfully convicted? Where are you going with this post?

It's too painful to discuss online in great detail. When someone with big money and political connections sets out to destroy your family, believe me, it doesn't just end. The pain cuts deep and lasts many years. And when you have to deal with certain LEO's that make leaping assumptions about you, it adds more pain and distrust.

The very court system some believe to be so great can be full of booby traps and snares. That's all I have to say.

[tvc184]

This is a pretty old story and we now have the Michael Morton Act which prevents most of what happened. What is the point of this post? Before you answer, I'm not trying to start an argument or anything, just curious as to why you are bringing this up.

Yeppers...........

Under the old law the defendant had to file a motion to get evidence and show "good cause".

That part of the law has been changed and for the most part, all evidence is turned directly over to the defendant. There are some protected pieces of information like the true name of a sexual assault victim, maybe an officer's home address, etc. Even then under the new law, the defendant can have a judge review all redacted evidence/information and determine if it must be turned over.

Also before any guilty plea/plea of no contest or before a trial both parties (state and defendant) must sign off on or declare in open court that all required documents, items and information have been turned over. To cover up evidence after making such a statement will become perjury or aggravated perjury, adding a potentially severe criminal penalty for a DA not turning over all known evidence.

It has not changed the way that we conduct investigations but the way and when evidence is turned over. In my county an officer (particularly in an arrest) must turn over all information by the end of the shift and a supervisor has to sign off on all of the evidence turned in. All video and reports must be completed and submitted before the officer leaves work.

Just in case anyone wants to know or cares as to the state's response to the case.