State District Judge Mike Snipes Thursday … [visit site to read more]
Thomas Corea, the disbarred Dallas attorney who stole from clients, gets 25 years in prison
Update: Man guilty of killing elderly clerk by setting her on fire
Prosecutors asking jurors for death sentence in murder of elderly store clerk
Testimony is underway in the punishment phase of the trial for the man who killed an elderly Garland convenience store clerk by setting her on fire.
Dallas County prosecutors are asking jurors for a death sentence for Matthew Lee Johnson, saying in opening argument that they will prove he is a continued threat and there is nothing about him that mitigates a sentence of life without parole.
visit site to read more]Defendant has outburst during capital murder trial: ‘The State of Texas [expletive] me over’
While a jury deliberates in one death penalty case, testimony continues in another courtroom for a second man facing a possible death sentence.visit site to read more]
Franklin Davis’ 13-year-old daughter briefly testifies at his capital murder trial
A Dallas County jury is expected to begin deliberations Friday about whether a man who killed a 16-year-old girl who accused him of rape will be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole.
visit site to read more]Update: Jury will return Saturday to resume deliberations about whether man gets life for death for killing teen
Update: The jury has not yet reached a verdict and will be sequestered overnight at a hotel.
The jurors will return to resume deliberations Saturday morning.
Original post: A Dallas County jury is deliberating the fate of a man who killed his children’s 16-year-old babysitter after she accused him of rape.visit site to read more]
Update: Who is running in the 2014 Dallas County criminal courthouse races?
Update: Defense attorneys William Barr and Anthony Eiland have filed to run for the 265th District Court as a Democrat.
Prosecutor Amber Givens is running for the 282nd as a Democrat.
Collin County prosecutor Janet Cook is running for the 292nd as a Republican.
Defense attorney visit site to read more]
Texas Supreme Court appoints Dallas appellate court justice to State Commission on Judicial Conduct
The Supreme Court of Texas appointed Douglas S. Lang to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the commission announced Tuesday.
visit site to read more]Update: Attorney for girlfriend of state District Judge Carlos Cortez called it ‘laughable’ that judge was trying to save her life
Update 2 p.m.: Ted Steinke, an attorney for Cortez’ girlfriend said Monday that Cortez’ contention that he was saving the woman’s life is “laughable.”
Steinke said: “My client is cooperating fully with the authorities, and because we have faith in the system, we are willing to let the legal process take its course. For that reason, she will make no public statement at this time. However, regarding his attorney’s laughable assertion that the Judge actually saved the … [visit site to read more]
Grand Prairie teen pleads guilty to killing, mutilating cat
A Grand Prairie teenager who killed and mutilated a neighbor’s cat pleaded guilty Monday morning to animal cruelty as jury selection was about to begin at his trial.
visit site to read more]With trials postponed, Judge Carlos Cortez doesn’t appear on bench after family violence arrest
Dallas County state district judge Carlos Cortez was scheduled to be back on the bench Monday for the first time since he was arrested for visit site to read more]
Hearing for Judge Carlos Cortez reset; he briefly attends court this morning
Update: The hearing has been rescheduled for a later date at the request of attorneys for Cortez. They anticipate filing additional motions that could require another hearing and could involve repetitive testimony or evidence.
The protective order for Cortez’ girlfriend, Maggie Strother, 26, remains in place.
Cortez was briefly in the courtroom and sat next to his attorney, Pete Schulte.
Cortez, his attorneys and prosecutors Kendall Castello and Carla Bean left without … [visit site to read more]
Another court battle set today between Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins and oil family heir Al Hill III
Attorneys for Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins and oil family heir Al Hill III are once again battling in court.
visit site to read more]UPDATE: Judge to decide later whether to delay trial of former JP accused of killing Kaufman County DA, his wife and top assistant
Update at 9:55 a.m.:
State District Judge Mike Snipes will decide at a later date whether Eric Williams’ trial and some parts of jury selection will be delayed.
Williams, wearing chains and an orange jumpsuit, appeared for the first time in a Rockwall court this morning.
His capital murder trial was moved from Kaufman County to Rockwall in January, … [visit site to read more]
Prosecutor Tammy Kemp raised more than twice incumbent Lena Levario in state district judge race
There’s no more watched felony court judicial race in the Democratic primary than the battle between state District Judge Lena Levario and her challenger, Dallas County prosecutor Tammy Kemp.
visit site to read more]Recapping the Dallas County felony court judicial races
It’s Election Day. Here’s recap of the races for state district judge in the felony courts:
204th District Court:Dallas County prosecutor Tammy Kemp vs. state District Judge Lena Levario
visit site to read more]Woman pleads guilty to drowning 1-year-old son in Dallas apartment bathtub
A 27-year-old woman admitted this morning in a Dallas courtroom to drowning her 1-year-old son in a bathtub in September 2012 at the family’s west Oak Cliff apartment.
visit site to read more]Judge gives man 5 years deferred adjudication probation for raping fellow Booker T. Washington High School student during school
Update 3:28 p.m.: State District Judge Jeanine Howard gave Sir Young 5 years of deferred adjudication … [visit site to read more]
UPDATE: ‘Do not expect a third chance,’ judge tells admitted rapist in Booker T. Washington High case
Update at 10:45 a.m. by Jennifer Emily and Sarah Mervosh:
State District Judge Carter Thompson had stern words of warning Thursday for Sir Young after his decision to reinstate probation restrictions against the admitted rapist.
“Mr. Young, we’ve never met before,” the judge said from the bench.
“No sir,” replied Young from his seat at the defense table.
“Let me tell you what’s expected of you. You have to live up to every condition of probation,” the judge said. If you miss a probation meeting, I’m going to find out about it. If you test positive for drugs, I’m going to find out about it. If you’re in a gang, I’m going to find out about it. If you get arrested again, I’m going to find out about it.
“Your previous court gave you a second chance. Do not expect a third chance from this court.”
Petition seeks resignation of Dallas judge from office after controversial statements in rape case
A change.org petition is asking for the resignation of a Dallas County judge. They want state District Judge Jeanine Howard to resign after making controversial comments about a rape victim. The petition more than 1,100 signatures.
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