tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298837746880587541.post8412295257280537729..comments2024-01-06T05:01:09.131-06:00Comments on The Defense Rests: State Senate passes Michael Morton Act (corrected version)Paul B. Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15827522954049831696noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298837746880587541.post-14752920945997210292013-04-13T09:51:03.885-05:002013-04-13T09:51:03.885-05:00If a prosecutor violates the MM Act...nothing?
If a prosecutor violates the MM Act...nothing?<br />Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298837746880587541.post-62084498562716127252013-04-12T13:22:27.792-05:002013-04-12T13:22:27.792-05:00Paul, thanks for the correction but we both may ne...Paul, thanks for the correction but we both may need more correcting! I gotta tell you, I'm still trying to figure out what this does and doesn't do - several subtle changes from prior versions. (E.g., there's a prohibition on releasing witness info but the actual "protective order" came out of the final version.) Been reading more closely and talking to some of the players. I'm going to try to write it all up today if I can figure it out. It may not be as bad as either you or I thought.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298837746880587541.post-79779271919032218562013-04-12T08:22:32.848-05:002013-04-12T08:22:32.848-05:00Senator Huffman's amendment was NOT removed, f...Senator Huffman's amendment was NOT removed, fyi. I watched from the gallery as added it. See the <a href="http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/83R/billtext/html/SB01611E.htm" rel="nofollow">full text of the bill</a> that passed the Senate for the language she added. See especially subsections e, f and g.<br /><br />Notably, the defense bar was completely shut out at the negotiating table. The Texas Tribune <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/10/accord-reached-michael-morton-act/" rel="nofollow">reported</a> that the meetings over Huffman's amendment "were hosted by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and included Morton, Ratliff, the state prosecutors association, Huffman, Duncan and Sens. John Whitmire and Royce West." So TDCAA got to play ball, but TCDLA had so marginalized themselves they weren't even invited to the discussion.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.com