Monthly Archives: April 2009

Southern Change

Southern man better keep your head Don’t forget what your good book said Southern change gonna come at last Now your crosses are burning fast (Neil Young). As I write, the Supreme Court is considering a case predicated on a simple assumption: … Continue reading

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The Will to Secede

     (Readers of this post will be interested in the story of Curtis Flowers, a native of Winona, Mississippi who will soon go on trial for the sixth time on the same murder charges.) According to a Rasmussen poll, only 18% … Continue reading

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Filed under "civil rights", "Social Justice", Blogroll, Criminal justice reform, Race

Black Judge discontinues column

This story in the Friday Dallas Morning News requires little commentary from me–just read the comments that follows the brief article and you will get a feel for what black officials like Victor Lander are up against.  Black officials are … Continue reading

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American Violet: A Nice Clean Story

  For years now, Hollywood has been gearing up for a feature film about Tulia, Texas starring Halle Berry.  It is a bit ironic that the Hearne story is now gracingthe silver screen when Tulia (a much bigger media story) has never … Continue reading

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American Violet: the law as criminal

Wade Goodwyn has been working on this storyever since he attended the premier of “American Violet” at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hearne, Texas three weeks ago.  (I know because he’s been calling me for background every other day.)  The … Continue reading

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Curbing witness abuse

Scott Henson of “Grits for Breakfast” will be testifying this morning at the Texas Legislature in favor of a bill requiring more taping of police interrogations.   The best resource on the electronic recording of “custodial interrogations” and the curious phenomenon of false confessions … Continue reading

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Waters muddy in Texas dragging case

Although I have given considerable attention to the Brandon McClelland case in Paris, Texas I haven’t joined the “hate crime” chorus.   Certainly, if the men accused of intentionally dragging Brandon beneath their truck are guilty as charged this case qualifies as a … Continue reading

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Police officer indicted in Texas

This story was brought to my attention by David Person, a journalist and broadcaster in Huntsville, Alabama who has me on his show every Thursday afternoon.  I would like to believe that this story would make the Times even if … Continue reading

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Eric Holder’s challenge

No one is saying that Ted Stevens didn’t lie about unreported contributions.  But the government has to play by the rules even when the defendant is guilty.  In this case, federal prosecutors are accused of withholding potentially exculpatory information from … Continue reading

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Post-mortem exoneration: Timothy Cole gets his due

Update (3/2/2010) : Texas Governor Rick Perry finally decided he had the power to issue a postmortem pardon to Timothy Cole.  I know Tim’s family were relieved, possibly even overjoyed, by this good news.  I also suspect they are still asking themselves why … Continue reading

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