Texas commission’s report on Cameron Todd Willingham arson case avoids central questions

AUSTIN — A state panel’s draft report on the 1991 arson investigation that led to Cameron Todd Willingham’s execution, released Thursday, avoids central questions raised by fire experts and advocates.
The Texas Forensic Science Commission began a two-day meeting with discussion of the report, which was limited because of a pending request filed with the attorney general’s office that questions whether the commission has authority to investigate the case.

Mulvaney: http://dallasne.ws/gkPPRd

U.S. Supreme Court blocks Texas execution using new

This morning, the high court agreed to reconsider its January order denying the 47-year-old's appeal. That appeal raised claims of innocence and poor legal help during his trial and early stages of his appeals.

Tomaso: http://dallasne.ws/gfxrhg

Animal euthanasia more regulated than human execution, ACLU of Texas says

 A report released Sunday by the ACLU of Texas says procedures for euthanizing animals in the state are more regulated than the protocol for executing inmates on death row.

Diane Jennings: http://dallasne.ws/hfIG6L

Bill to ban death penalty doomed, but supporters undeterred

AUSTIN — If there is one proposal that is already on death row in the staunchly conservative Legislature, it’s the bill to abolish the death penalty.
But that didn’t stop the lively discussion on the issue in a House committee Tuesday.

Brooks: http://dallasne.ws/i1Oo4P

Prosecutors will try today to reopen case against Judge Sharon Keller

Hoppe:

AUSTIN – Prosecutors at a hearing this morning will attempt to revive the case against Judge Sharon Keller, accused of closing the state's top criminal court as a death-row inmate's lawyers tried to file a last-minute appeal.
http://tinyurl.com/275hcav

For much more background: http://topics.dallasnews.com/topic/Sharon_Keller