Paul Watler

Viewing policy reduces media witnesses to Texas executions

2014-06-05T21:39:12-05:00

By Terri Langford The Texas Tribune Originally published June 5, 2014 At a time when a botched lethal injection in Oklahoma and secrecy about how Texas prisons obtain lethal injection drugs have increased public scrutiny of the procedure, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice is allowing fewer media outlets to attend executions. There are only five media seats available in one of two tiny viewing rooms adjacent to the Texas execution chamber in Huntsville. While some of those seats have long been reserved for specific media outlets, the TDCJ has in the past allowed other reporters to fill empty chairs when those [...]

Viewing policy reduces media witnesses to Texas executions2014-06-05T21:39:12-05:00

Attorneys allege judge abused court’s discrection in closing hearings

2014-05-12T21:14:11-05:00

By Deanna Boyd Fort Worth Star-Telegram Originally published May 9, 2014 FORT WORTH — State District Judge Jean Boyd abused the court’s discretion when she recently barred the media and public from two juvenile hearings, attorneys for several local media outlets allege in a court petition filed Friday. The petition, filed Friday afternoon with Fort Worth’s Second District Court of Appeals, is the latest in a legal fight that began after Boyd tossed reporters and other members of the public from two juvenile proceedings involving a 16-year-old boy accused of fatally beating a 17-year-old acquaintance with a hammer. The teen, identified [...]

Attorneys allege judge abused court’s discrection in closing hearings2014-05-12T21:14:11-05:00

Why Harold Simmons’ will should not be sealed

2014-01-28T14:42:16-06:00

By Paul Watler Column published in The Dallas Morning News Jan. 27, 2014 The executor of the estate of billionaire Harold Simmons has asked a Dallas County probate court to seal the late billionaire’s will and probate file. The papers should be closed because people who disagree with Simmons’ controversial political activity might want to have a look, according to the motion. No one but his widow and sole heir has a legitimate need to review the probate file, the court was told. The motion also cited the privacy and safety of his beneficiary and security of estate assets to justify [...]

Why Harold Simmons’ will should not be sealed2014-01-28T14:42:16-06:00

State insisting it be given info on Twitter users

2013-09-30T03:30:10-05:00

By Kolten Parker, Eva Ruth Moravec San Antonio Express-News Originally published July 31, 2013 AUSTIN — State police have demanded Twitter records from two users that officials allege made “terroristic threats” against lawmakers who pushed for abortion restrictions. One targeted user, Denise Romano, an Austin woman with a private Twitter account, explains on her page that posts are “satirical.” The second user’s account is anonymous and was unused for more than a year before a string of tweets specified in the Texas Department of Public Safety probe. In what appears to be an unprecedented move in Texas, law enforcement officials subpoenaed [...]

State insisting it be given info on Twitter users2013-09-30T03:30:10-05:00

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