Texas Man Convicted of Murder Freed
Michael Morton spent 25 years in before new evidence forced Texas prosecutors to agree on Monday to release him from prison for beating his wife to death —a crime that he maintained he never committed, after DNA tests showed another man was responsible.
The Innocence Project has claimed in court documents that John Bradley, the District Attorney of Williamson County since 2001, suppressed evidence that strengthened Morton's case during the DNA proceedings. That evidence — including a transcript of a police interview indicating that Morton's son said the attacker was not his father — was ultimately obtained by the Innocence Project through a request under the Texas Public Information Act.
Tests performed on a blood-stained, blue bandanna found shortly after the crime near Morton's home revealed DNA from Morton's wife and an unidentified man convicted in multiple states, including California. According to news reports DNA techniques not available during the original trial but now available, helped link the DNA to a possible serial killer who committed other murders in the Austin area in the 1980s.
The case demonstrates the importance in the advances in forensic science that can help lead to the defense of those charged with violent crimes such as murder, aggravated assault and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is need of the services of a Houston Criminal Defense Attorney experienced in defending violent crime cases, call Texas Board Certified Attorney Mario Madrid at 713-877-9400.
