Appeals judge barred from Brazoria cases over behavior

Jim Sharp, a judge on one of Houston's two courts of appeals, has been barred from working on any criminal…

Allegations against Upshur County district judge under review

A review of Upshur County District Judge Lauren Parish’s campaign finance reports showed most of the six allegations filed against…

Texas man who held former neighbor captive for 12 days guilty of kidnapping, sexual assault

WEATHERFORD, Texas (AP) -- A Texas man who abducted his former neighbor and tortured the woman while holding her captive…

Hearing for former corrections officer charged with murder delayed to March

A hearing to determine whether a former Travis County corrections officer will face trial on a charge of murder was…

District attorney to investigate home where CPS seized 11 children

Liberty County prosecutors announced Tuesday they plan a criminal investigation into what happened inside a small brick house that once…

Jury gets the $6 million Yuchnitz question

Jurors on Tuesday began deliberating how to divvy up a $6 million estate at the divorce trial of Mike and…

Judge in Texas rules terror bomb suspect competent

LUBBOCK — A Saudi man accused of trying to make a weapon of mass destruction and targeting former President George…

Houston woman sues man for $25 million for 2010 assault

Amber Colette Rose filed a $25 million suit against Hassan Gaddi. (Photo: Courtesy of Tony Buzbee, Amber Rose's attorney) A…

Prosecutors urge death for cop-killer Buntion

Prosecutors told jurors Tuesday that "career criminal" Carl Wayne Buntion should be sentenced to death for fatally shooting a Houston…

Judge favors Lakewood in music copyright suit

Lakewood Church (Nick de la Torre / Chronicle) The secular band that sued Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen for $3…

Radio host goes on offensive about alleged hit-and-run

Former Houston city councilman and talk show host Michael Berry for the first time on Tuesday publicly commented about an…

Adult movie company targets elderly Houston couple and others in copyright lawsuit

HOUSTON—An adult movie company in California is targeting 41 Houston-area IP (internet protocol) addresses in a lawsuit to reveal the…

Farmers, landowners protest new water restrictions

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - It's a war over water that many local farmers, producers and landowners are not willing to…

Perry Leaning Toward A Run For Reelection

AUSTIN (THE TEXAS TRIBUNE) – Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday he is leaning toward running for re-election in 2014 and…

UT's race-conscious admission policy facing Supreme Court test

The University of Texas has successfully defended its use of affirmative action in admissions before a federal judge in Austin…

Supreme Court: Rights don't have to be read to prisoners

The Supreme Court said Tuesday that investigators don't have to read Miranda rights to inmates during jailhouse interrogations about crimes…

Supreme Court rejects appeal over day laborer law

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a Southern California city's appeal seeking reinstatement of its ordinance that prevented…

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Arlington ADA case

In what could be a major financial blow to the nation’s cities, the U.S. Supreme Court today declined Tuesday to…

Roberts says no to formal ethics rules

Chief Justice John Roberts has told Congress again that the Supreme Court doesn't plan to formally adopt rules that would…

UK court OKs legal claim to be served via Facebook

LONDON — Status update: You're sued. Legal authorities said Tuesday that a High Court judge in England has approved the…

Appeals court says Gitmo suicide suit not allowed

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An appellate court ruled Tuesday that the families of two Guantanamo detainees who the government says hanged…

Ex-judge in Mass. defends forced abortion ruling

BOSTON (AP) — A retired Massachusetts judge on Tuesday defended her decision to order a mentally ill woman to have…

Fla. justices split over redistricting procedure

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court is divided over how to proceed with a review of legislative redistricting.By…

Judge: Donnan didn't deceive former player

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — A federal bankruptcy judge has rejected a former NFL football player's claim that his college football…

Judge mulls Fla. governor's worker drug testing

MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge in Miami is hearing arguments on the constitutionality of Gov. Rick Scott's executive order…

Former judge goes back to the bench

A Houston judge who quit in January is back on the bench after learning that state law does not allow…

Texas death row inmate: 'Secret deal' tainted case

DALLAS — A man condemned to die in Texas for the 2005 murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 7-year-old…

San Benito mayor ethics complaint deepens

SAN BENITO — A resident has filed an ethics complaint’s criminal allegations against Mayor Joe Hernandez with the Cameron County…

East Texas judge accused of campaign finance allegations

EAST TEXAS (KYTX) -- An East Texas judge is accused of campaign finance allegations. The Texas Ethics Commission is looking…

Hays County commissioners to reconsider law that called for death of two dogs

In response to the euthanization last week of two dogs who had been caught on camera killing 12 chickens in…

Judge Commits Teen Accused Of Stabbing JT Teacher For One More Year

By DAYNA WORCHEL Staff Writer The 18-year-old accused of stabbing a John Tyler High School teacher to death in 2009…

District judge brings more attention to prayer ruling

It’s quite unusual to hear someone from the bench lash out at the public in response to criticism over one…

Your Honor, the defense rests

Not only was he one of the best defense lawyers in Texas, he was one of the best sideline analysts…

Ex-Glock attorney accused of stealing millions

ATLANTA — The vice president of Glock Inc. confessed nine years ago to the company's founder that he and another…

Judge Rules Against Nebraska City Immigration Plan

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A judge has rejected part of an eastern Nebraska city's controversial ordinance that sought to ban…

Jury selection under way in NJ webcam spying case

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — The trial of a former Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on…

Judge to hear arguments on moving Boeheim suit

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A judge is expected to hear arguments over whether to move a slander case brought by…

Jury process starts Tuesday in Philly priest case

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jury selection is set to start Tuesday in the landmark priest sex-abuse trial of a longtime official…

Strauss-Kahn questioned in France case

PARIS (AP) — Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is being questioned Tuesday by French police investigating a suspected…

Polish folk art society defends its 'Oskar' award

WARSAW, Poland — Few would confuse the glitz of the Academy Awards with a ceremony held by a folk arts…

Fort Worth judge to lead court of inquiry in prosecutorial misconduct case

State District Judge Louis Sturns of Tarrant County will lead a court of inquiry into complaints of prosecutorial misconduct against…

Ed Gray tells Rotarians how innocent people got convicted

Ed Gray, attorney and author of the book Henry Wade?s Tough Justice, gave the program at the Bonham Rotary Club?s…

Judge: Texas attorney won't be disciplined over claims of excessive fees for DNA exonerees

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- A West Texas attorney who helped wrongly convicted former inmates get state compensation should not be…

Judge: Murder suspect OK to stand trial

A judge on Thursday declared an Amarillo woman mentally fit to stand trial on a murder charge in the 2007…

Judge: Torture suspect can access woman's notes

WEATHERFORD, Texas — Attorneys for a Texas man accused of kidnapping and torturing his ex-neighbor for 12 days say they…

Texas Supreme Court justices say role of court is to interpret law

Issues surrounding the state's water supply and its expanding oil and gas industry likely will continue to be prevalent during…

Legal aid honor goes to Duncan

A Texas Supreme Court justice on Thursday presented state Sen. Robert Duncan with an award recognizing his contributions to improving…

DPS review backs Austin police crime lab

A review by the Texas Department of Safety disputes allegations made against the Austin Police Department's crime lab by a…

Man falsely accused in TCU sting wants apology

Austin Carpenter, who was mistakenly named and pictured in an arrest warrant in connection with a TCU drug sting Wednesday,…

Multiple DWI Offenses Land Man In Prison

By KELLY GOOCH Staff Writer A Cherokee County man was sentenced to five years in prison Wednesday for driving while…

In retrial, Fort Worth man is convicted in one of two deaths

FORT WORTH -- A 45-year-old Fort Worth man on trial on capital murder charges for the second time in the…

Federal judge: Truancy cases mishandled

Hidalgo County justice of the peace courts violated two students’ constitutional rights when sentencing them to jail to pay off…

Hoffman: Attorney gets attention for Wright case

The made-for-TV movie about Susan Wright, the Houston woman convicted of murdering her husband and burying him in their backyard,…

Defense witnesses say Stanford not a hands-on boss

Defense witnesses portrayed R. Allen Stanford as distant from the day-to-day operation of his companies, as his lawyers laid a…

Former Constable Abercia taps war chest to fight charges

As indicted ex-constable Jack Abercia fights federal corruption and bribery charges brought against him last month, a lack of money…

Rape victim who won $20M verdict against apartments: 'I'm vindicated'

HOUSTON -- Is your apartment management doing enough to keep you safe? A Harris County woman won a $20 million…

UT study finds no direct link between fracking and groundwater contamination

Hydraulic fracturing of shale formations to extract natural gas has no direct connection to groundwater contamination, according to a study…

Judge allows prosecutors to see most of prison psychologist's notes on Tucson shooting suspect

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A federal judge will allow prosecutors to see most of a prison psychologist's personal notes pertaining…

Nigerian underwear bomber gets life in prison

DETROIT — Defiantly declaring "a day of victory," a Nigerian man was given a mandatory life sentence Thursday for trying…

Spain asks judge to force handover of treasure

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida deep-sea explorers lost their legal bid to keep a half million silver coins and other…

Redistricting impasse delays Texas primary until May 29, at the earliest

Center of the storm: This is how the federal judges redrew Bexar County's congressional lines. Texas’ primary elections won’t take…

Appeals court's 'actual innocence' ruling finally clears Dallas man of 1995 murder conviction

DALLAS (AP) -- A Dallas man released after spending 14 years in prison for murder and attempted murder has been…

Police crime lab faces second complaint over drug testing

Published: 10:39 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 Another complaint has been filed against the Austin Police Department's crime lab, this…

Texas Supreme Court Decision Puts Hold on Demolishing Abandoned Homes

WESLACO - A newly-released Texas Supreme Court decision has forced Valley cities to put plans to demolish dangerous and abandoned…

Judge removed from $50 million Valero lawsuit

Judge Christopher Dupuy was removed Wednesday from a $50 million lawsuit brought by Valero Refining Texas after a defendant complained…

Yeats under scrutiny: Judge denies misusing funds

118th District Court Judge Tim Yeats said this morning there is no merit to allegations he misused campaign funds during…

Constable candidate arrested with $1M cash in trunk

VICTORIA, TEXAS - A South Texas constable candidate was arrested on a money laundering charge Wednesday after authorities said they…

Jury awards $20 million to rape victim who sued apartments

A Harris County jury awarded $20 million in damages Wednesday to a rape victim who sued her apartment complex for…

Keystone Pipeline Blocked from Crossing Texas Farm

DALLAS (AP) — Owners of a northeast Texas farm have obtained a court order to block TransCanada from crossing the…

TCU football players among 18 students accused of drug dealing

(CNN) - Eighteen Texas Christian University students, including four members of its Top 25 football team, were arrested Wednesday morning…

Ybarra receives 2-year prison term for DWI fatality

Jurors sentenced Jenny Ann Ybarra to two years in prison Wednesday in the wrong-way drunken driving wreck that fatally injured…

Man gets 60 years for daytime attack downtown

Despite an Austin police investigation that a prosecutor and defense lawyer both described as sloppy, a Travis County jury on…

Stanford defense begins with no hint of whether he'll testify

HOUSTON — The government rested its case Wednesday afternoon in the trial of accused swindler R. Allen Stanford, and his…

Olympus ex-chairman, other execs arrested in probe

JUNEAU, Alaska — A federal judge on Wednesday refused Exxon Mobil Corp.'s request that he declare government efforts to seek…

NH prosecutors want court to reinstate convictions

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Prosecutors are asking New Hampshire's Supreme Court to reinstate the convictions of a man who ran…

Senate confirms Cuban-born judge to 11th Circuit

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first Cuban-born judge to serve on the Atlanta-based U.S. appellate court was confirmed Wednesday by an…

Texas April primary all but dead as state tells court 'insurmountable' issues block deal

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- The chances of Texas voters having much influence in the Republican presidential race faded Tuesday after…

Texas Rangers search Harris County DA's office

OUSTON (AP) - Texas Rangers searched and carted away documents and computers in the Harris County district attorney's office in…

Parker to unveil plan for independent crime lab

After two years of fruitless talks with the county regarding how to merge crime lab operations, Mayor Annise Parker plans…

DA campaign heats up after Lehmberg's 'hush' comment

Charlie Baird is trying to seize on Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg’s admonishment that he “just hush.” Baird, a…

Judge blocks TransCanada from laying Keystone XL pipeline through northeast Texas farm

DALLAS (AP) -- Owners of a northeast Texas farm have obtained a court order to block TransCanada from crossing the…

Williamson jury: Life without parole for killer in roadside ambush

Bobby Burks Jr. placed his hand on his heart and smiled at family members as he walked out of a…

Wentworth calls on Jones to return Railroad Commission paychecks

A day after his political rival resigned as chairman of the powerful Texas Railroad Commission amid questions about whether she…

Failed experiment into politics leaves Lubbock man's name on Ethics Commission's blacklist

Brandon Stacker never considered his bid for the District 15 seat on the State Board of Education in 2006 a…

Grand jury indicts Dunn for murder

A Lubbock County grand jury on Tuesday indicted a San Antonio man for the death of a woman in East…

Tearful testimony over Ybarra's punishment

On the witness stand again after being found guilty of intoxication manslaughter, Jenny Ann Ybarra told jurors Tuesday that although…

Teenager sentenced to six months in state jail after pleading guilty to graffiti charge

CORPUS CHRISTI — A teenager was sentenced to six months without parole in state jail Tuesday for tagging a Corpus…

Medrano voter fraud trials begin

Allegations of voter fraud involving the powerful Medrano family of Dallas are playing out in a Rockwall County courthouse. Two…

Investigator: Whips, restraints found at home of Texas man accused of torturing ex-neighbor

WEATHERFORD, Texas (AP) -- After finally getting a strong lead in the case of a woman discovered missing when her…

Professor in UTEP inquiry hired judge

U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo was hired to teach part time at UTEP by the director of the Criminal Justice…

Judge to hear spill-related subpoena dispute

U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal has set an April 11 hearing on a dispute between the U.S. Chemical Safety Board…

Apologetic Guadalupe County judge taking two-weeks leave

SEGUIN — At his first commissioners court meeting since being charged with pot possession, Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins on…

San Antonio Opera in bankruptcy talks

SAN ANTONIO — Backers of the San Antonio Opera say the 16-year-old company could file for bankruptcy by the end…

Texas, 4 other states get more time on Honda settlement

LOS ANGELES -- Texas and four other states won more time to decide whether to object to a proposed class-action…

Woman sentenced for spiking Utah man's smoothie

A Utah woman was sentenced Tuesday to consecutive prison terms for spiking a 79-year-old man's peach smoothie with antifreeze after…

Forest Service sues state and Otero Co.

In 2001 New Mexico passed Senate Bill 1 to allow counties to manage national forest lands under certain circumstances that…

Fugitive runs out of gas, calls sheriff for help

In 2001 New Mexico passed Senate Bill 1 to allow counties to manage national forest lands under certain circumstances that…

Fugitive runs out of gas, calls sheriff for help

EVANSTON, Wyo. (AP) — A 59-year-old fugitive is back behind bars after he ran out of gas in Wyoming and…

Ohio justice rejects death penalty law he wrote

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio Supreme Court justice is in the unusual position of calling for the abolition of…

Judge orders $5.5 million polygamy trust payment

SALT LAKE CITY — A judge has given Utah's attorney general 90 days to pay off more than $5.5 million…

Jury to hear of love, betrayal in detective trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After days of DNA testimony, prosecutors planned to tell jurors the story of love and betrayal…

Prosecution case nears end in U.Va. lacrosse trial

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The prosecution is nearing the end of its presentation in the trial of a former University…

Date of Texas primaries may hinge on hearing

A three-judge panel in San Antonio will try to undo the tricky knot that is the schedule for the Texas…

Railroad commission chairman resigns amid residency questions

Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Elizabeth Ames Jones resigned Monday after facing weeks of questions over whether she was ineligible to…

Possibility of misconduct enough to merit full Anderson inquiry

t's been four months since Michael Morton was released from prison, exonerated of charges of murdering his wife, Christine. Michael…

Attorney says lawyer earned fees paid by exonerees by pushing new Texas compensation law

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- An attorney credited for pushing a law that made Texas the most generous state in the…

Jury to hear arguments for and against death penalty in Williamson murder case

A Williamson County jury will deliberate today on whether a man convicted of capital murder and two counts of aggravated…

Community meeting over Carter shooting yields testy exchanges

As a Travis County grand jury continues to evaluate the actions of an Austin police officer involved in a May…

Prosecutors ask to move Walker trial

ederal Judge Ron Clark has changed Calvin Walker's trial date. Now it's up to him to decide where the case…

Isle resident guilty of FEMA fraud

GALVESTON — An island resident faces up to 30 years in prison, stemming from his conviction for FEMA fraud, the…

Former Harris County prosecutor to be portrayed by People's Choice Award-winning actress in Lifetime movie

Remember Susan Wright? The woman who was convicted in 2004 of killing her husband by stabbing him some 193 times…

Witness describes Stanford’s efforts to spin firm’s condition

A veteran public relations professional wept on the witness stand Monday as she described R. Allen Stanford’s efforts to control…

Montgomery County tries team approach to help mentally ill

Montgomery County has begun providing mentally ill defendants with a professional team to help them with legal and personal needs…

Fake DEA agent is going free on bond

Without any public explanation, federal prosecutors reversed their earlier position, and now support letting David B. Webb going free on…

Ybarra found guilty in death

Four years after an ambulance crew left Erica Nicole Smith untreated for hours at the scene of a horrific wrong-way…

Veterans Court Program Expanded

The Veteran's Court program started in 2009. It used to only take misdemeanor crimes of those in, and retired, from…

Texas ignoring insurance pool requirement

Texas is almost alone among the nation's largest states in failing to start work on a key piece of the…

Mark Lane named new Magistrate judge in Austin

Longtime Austin prosecutor Mark Lane was selected today to be the next U.S. Magistrate judge in Austin. Lane, 49, will…

Judge rules Gamez Jr. can represent Rosenthal

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen on Monday ruled that there is not a conflict in Ernesto Gamez Jr. representing…

Pair of Texas swimmers juggle Olympic aspirations and college careers

Olympic dreams have long been in the making for swimming stars Karlee Bispo and Laura Sogar, but they aren’t letting…

US producer claims innocence in Mexico court date

A U.S. reality television producer has repeated his claims of innocence during a court hearing on the death of his…

Court hears challenge to CA affirmative action ban

Backers of affirmative action asked a federal appeals court Monday to overturn California's 15-year-old ban on considering race in public…

Australian man fined for mooning Queen Elizabeth

BRISBANE, Australia -- A Sydney man has been fined 750 Australian dollars ($800) for mooning Queen Elizabeth II and her…

Judge: Sandusky can see most of his grandkids

(CNN) - The former Penn State assistant football coach currently awaiting trial on child sex assault charges can visit with…

Former district attorney should face inquiry in Morton prosecution, judge says

Former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson should face a court of inquiry to examine allegations that he hid evidence…

Judges renew push for redistricting deal

The federal panel overseeing Texas' redistricting fight ordered the attorney general and nearly a dozen plaintiffs' groups to keep negotiating…

Senator wants to add state property tax

AUSTIN — Texas Senate Finance Committee Chairman Steve Ogden recently suggested the Legislature should consider a statewide property tax to…

Judicial benches in Texas left sitting empty

WASHINGTON — A Republican effort to stall President Barack Obama's judicial nominees in the Senate as a protest to the…

Judge rules boy accused in death of man thrown against Dallas train won't be tried as adult

DALLAS (AP) -- A judge has ruled that a 15-year-old in a group of youths accused in the death of…

Family gathers signatures to get accused murderer back in jail

FORT STOCKTON A 44-year-old Fort Stockton man recently indicted for murder and on supervised release faces fierce opposition from family…

'No-bill' in homicide case leaves mother with more grief

After her son was fatally stabbed in September, Mary Sedqy said she was filled with grief so intense she could…

Jury selection starts today in Parker County sexual-torture trial

WEATHERFORD -- Jeff Maxwell's home and garage in Corsicana contained leather straps, whips, sex toys and pornographic videos including Brutal…

Suspect set to plead guilty in Fort Worth counterfeit movie and music case

FORT WORTH -- Thousands of copies of top movies and music CDs were available for the picking when police and…

Fifth juvenile admits guilt in sexual assault of 11-year-old Cleveland girl in 2010

LIBERTY, Texas (AP) -- A 17-year-old boy has become the fifth juvenile to admit sexually assaulting an 11-year-old Southeast Texas…

Mentally ill inmates may go to state hospitals sooner

Dozens of mentally ill inmates locked up in the Harris County Jail could soon be headed to state hospitals after…

Witness describes last-minute change to Stanford financial report

During final proofing of his offshore bank’s 2003 annual report, R. Allen Stanford changed the numbers to make them more…

Court to discuss Wiggins behind closed doors

SEGUIN - Guadalupe County commissioners have scheduled a closed-door session to discuss County Judge Mike Wiggins after he was arrested…

Judge: Complicated Divorce Process Slows Down Court

By DAYNA WORCHEL Staff Writer They file into Smith County family Judge Carole Clark's each Friday afternoon. They represent themselves…

Jury Rejects Patent Case Over Web Ownership

By DAYNA WORCHEL Staff Writer A federal jury in the Eastern District of Texas decided on Thursday that a technology…

Texas Supreme Court again rejects business-tax challenge

The Texas Supreme Court turned back another challenge to the state business tax, saying the companies that brought the lawsuit…

Grand jury declines to indict Constable May Walker

A Harris County grand jury Friday decided not to indict Precinct 7 Constable May Walker of any wrongdoing involving money…

East Texas woman faces life for sex with boy, 13

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) — A Southeast Texas woman who exchanged hundreds of calls and text messages with a 13-year-old boy…

Austin lawyer who fell asleep while presiding over Keller hearing quits case Austin lawyer who fell asleep while presiding over Keller hearing quits case

KELLER -- An Austin attorney who fell asleep while he presided over a Keller family's special-education due-process hearing has resigned…

Lawsuit asks judge to come up with interim Nueces County Commissioners Court redistricting map

CORPUS CHRISTI — A lawsuit asking a federal court to come up with an interim redistricting plan for the Nueces…

Judge: Laurie Fine's past not relevant in SU suit

NEW YORK — Salacious claims about the wife of an assistant Syracuse University basketball coach who was fired after claims…

US urges for openness at Gulf oil spill trial

NEW ORLEANS — The federal government's lead lawyer in an upcoming trial over fault in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico…

Ginsburg questions 1973 abortion ruling's timing

NEW YORK — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suggested Friday that her predecessors on the high court mistimed the…

Hearing May Determine If Ex-DA Faces Investigation

GEORGETOWN - A judge holds a hearing on whether an ex-prosecutor should face a formal investigation of allegations that he…

Judge slams critics of Texas school prayer ruling

SAN ANTONIO — A federal judge who was vilified by Republican presidential hopefuls for banning prayer at a Texas high…

Guadalupe County judge faces pot charge

Whiffs of burning marijuana in a College Station hotel led to the arrest this week of Guadalupe County Judge Michael…

Sides dig in for extended education funding fight

AUSTIN — One thing Texas legislators learned long ago — and they are seeing it again with the yearlong redistricting…

Armstrong says he's happy investigation over

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — As far as Lance Armstrong is concerned, it's all over.The stress, the waiting, the whispers about…

Muni Judge Brown Can Keep Judging, For Now, While She Runs For Civil District Judge

Via. Municipal Court Judge Phyllis Lister Brown ​The city of Dallas and municipal Judge Phyllis Lister Brown have been at…

Former IRS worker sentenced to 105 months

A former IRS employee accused of filing nearly $8 million in fraudulent tax returns was sentenced Thursday to 105 months…

Bentley sentenced to 50 years in prison for sex with 13-year-old

A state district judge Thursday sentenced a 36-year-old man to 50 years in prison for sexually assaulting a young teenage…

Retaliation case merits stiff sanction

Anne Mitchell and Vickilyn Galle did their jobs as registered nurses. They put the health and safety of their patients…

Companies sued over wages

SAN ANTONIO - A lawsuit has been filed in federal court alleging a San Antonio-area employer failed to pay proper…

Local charged in traffic death to take the stand

SAN ANTONIO - A Seguin woman facing intoxicated manslaughter charges in a 2007 head-on collision in which a Wilson County…

Miss high court hears challenge to Barbour pardons

JACKSON, Miss. — Feuding attorneys asked the Mississippi Supreme Court on Thursday to determine the validity of pardons that Haley…

Romantic rival testifies at U.Va. murder trial

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The romantic rival of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player accused of killing his ex-girlfriend testified…

Students, teachers adjust as LA school reopens

LOS ANGELES — Some students wrote farewell letters to their former teachers. Even though it was the middle of the…

Brazil files injunction against Twitter

SAO PAULO — A request for an injunction to stop Twitter users from alerting drivers to police roadblocks, radar traps…

Judge excludes testimony from Gulf oil spill trial

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has ruled out testimony about a deadly 2005 explosion at a BP PLC refinery…

Ron Paul may not be at CPAC event, but his gold standard ideas are there

Good as gold: Ron Paul (AP photo) Ron Paul isn’t in attendance at the 2012 Conservative Political Action Conference in…

Democrats renew push for campaign finance overhaul

WASHINGTON — The campaign finance system is so broken that legislative changes, including a constitutional amendment, are needed to rein…

Court rules in favor of governor in union dispute

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Republican Gov. Susana Martinez won a court fight with labor unions Thursday over her appointee to a…

Pa. judge to consider Sandusky jury, bail issues

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — State prosecutors don't want the people who live near former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky…

Ex-Rep. Brett Feese to be sentenced for corruption

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A former Republican leader in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives is to be sentenced for his role…

Houston's red-light camera deal ends legal fracas

City Council approved a payout of at least $4.8 million Wednesday to settle a lawsuit and take down Houston’s controversial…

Judge rules against new mother who alleged sex discrimination in her firing for lactation

HOUSTON (AP) -- A Houston woman who says she lost her collection agency job because she wanted to pump breast…

Catholic groups in Texas resist birth control mandate

University of St. Thomas president Robert Ivany opposes new requirements that Catholic universities cover birth control for employees. (Chronicle file)…

HPD officer injured in altercation with Dynamo player, report says

A Houston police officer suffered wrist, back and knee injuries while trying to arrest Dynamo backup goalie Tyler Deric on…

Seized guns were bound for Zetas

Authorities said Wednesday that in breaking up a San Antonio-based smuggling ring that funneled guns to the Zetas drug cartel…

In Stanford trial, IRS agent tells of big deposits

A regulator in Antigua made numerous bank deposits totaling around half a million dollars soon after R. Allen Stanford made…

Appraisers following suit over power-line easement valuation

A suit challenging the Gillespie Central Appraisal District's valuation of a new electrical line through the Hill Country holds tax…

Devine doctor pleads guilty to fraudulent filing

BOERNE — A Devine podiatrist who authorities described as a sovereign citizen extremist avoided jail time Tuesday after pleading guilty…

Wanted Mexican Ex-Official And Two Others Arrested, Released In Tyler

By KENNETH DEAN Staff Writer The U.S. Department of State's order to release a former Mexican government official from custody…

US judge questions prison conditions in arms case

U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin in Manhattan rejected a request by defense lawyers for Viktor Bout to throw out the…

Judge tosses case seeking rights for orcas

A federal judge in San Diego dismissed an unprecedented lawsuit seeking to grant constitutional protection against slavery to a group…

Judge Mike Murphy to resign from bench following Supreme Court order

LAS CRUCES — Embattled 3rd Judicial District Court Judge Mike Murphy will resign Feb. 24 —the result of a stipulation…

Group wants Supreme Court to save war memorial

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Supporters of a war memorial cross deemed unconstitutional last year by a federal court plan to…

Mistrial declared for woman accused in baby death

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon judge declared a mistrial Wednesday after jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked in the…

Phelps using hyperbaric chamber to aid recovery

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Phelps is the latest athlete to use a hyperbaric chamber to aid his recovery from…

US Supreme Court refuses to block Miss. execution

PARCHMAN, Miss. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to halt the execution of a Mississippi man who was…

Texas primary likely delayed as court redraws maps

AUSTIN, Texas — Last-ditch negotiations to save the April 3 Texas primary appeared dead Tuesday, throwing the state's messy redistricting…

Judge doesn't back down in sonogram ruling

U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks didn’t hold much back in his sonogram ruling on Monday despite a warning last…

Duty laps incumbent Bradley in fundraising for Williamson district attorney race

Published: 8:18 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 In the Republican primary campaign for district attorney, Williamson County Attorney Jana Duty…

James tired of questions about sports scandals

AUSTIN — In the sports world, Craig James was a star football player for Southern Methodist University and the New…

Ruckus erupts in courtroom after guilty plea

TEXAS CITY — A courtroom ruckus erupted Tuesday during a hearing in which a man pleaded guilty to a 2010…

Prosecution's star witness called liar, tax cheat by attorneys for Texas financier Stanford

HOUSTON (AP) -- Liar. Hypocrite. Adulterer. Fraudster. Coward. In relentless and sometimes contentious questioning, an attorney for jailed Texas tycoon…

2 Dynamo players arrested after altercation

Two Dynamo players, backup goalkeeper Tyler Deric and second-round pick Warren Creavalle, were arrested late Saturday night following an altercation…

Is Rankin's tenure at county housing authority near end?

The Harris County Housing Authority’s board of commissioners will discuss the possible end of embattled CEO Guy Rankin’s tenure with…

San Angelo man arrested in connection with wife's drowning

Officials have revealed little information on their reasons for arresting a San Angelo man on murder allegations nearly four years…

Arlington councilman got drugs through prostitutes, report says

ARLINGTON -- City Councilman Mel LeBlanc told police last year that he obtained narcotics, including methamphetamines and marijuana, through prostitutes…

Texas lawmakers have properties near earmark projects

The Washington Post's report included earmarks by four Texans in Congress:Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth:Granger was listed for helping "obtain…

Fort Worth judge coming to Beaumont to preside over local attorney's trial

News > Jefferson County Fort Worth judge coming to Beaumont to preside over local attorney's trial 2/6/2012 3:26 PM By…

Appeals court throws out same-sex marriage ban

SAN FRANCISCO — Same-sex marriage moved one step closer to the Supreme Court on Tuesday when a federal appeals court…

Court says woman with limited English can be kept off ballot

By Mary Slosson (Reuters) - Arizona's Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that a city council candidate with limited English language…

South Carolina sues U.S. attorney general over voter ID law

The U.S. Justice Department was wrong to block South Carolina from requiring voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote,…

CA man accused of killing Chihuahua with golf club

A California man has been charged with felony animal cruelty after authorities say he killed a Chihuahua by teeing off…

Contador says he may appeal, and will keep riding

Alberto Contador vowed Tuesday to return to the pinnacle of cycling, maintaining his innocence in the face of a two-year…

Jury pool narrows in ex-UVa lacrosse player case

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Attorneys on Tuesday narrowed their pool of potential jurors in the trial of a former University…

Judge: Revise Ky. legislative districts ... again

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky secretary of state was ordered Tuesday not to implement newly redrawn legislative districts because…

Texas professor asking DC court for access to long-sealed documents in Watergate case

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A history professor from Texas is seeking access to long-sealed court records that he believes may help…

Texas primary date in doubt after deal talks stall

SAN ANTONIO — Texas is all but certain to have an even later say in choosing the Republican presidential nominee…

JP boots squatter who paid $16 for Flower Mound house

ROANOKE -- The man with the $16 Flower Mound house was a no-show in eviction court Monday morning.So the court…

Fort Worth man's innocence is now on display

FORT WORTH -- Twenty-six years after he was convicted of a rape he did not commit, Tim Cole's reputation has…

Judge orders all DNA tested in murder conviction

TEXAS CITY — A judge on Monday ordered testing of all DNA collected from a 1995 fatal stabbing to learn…

U.S. judge reluctantly upholds Texas abortion law

AUSTIN -- A federal judge on Monday upheld the new Texas law requiring women to have a sonogram before an…

Suit seeks end to Railroad Commission chair's pay

AUSTIN, Texas — A former Travis County judge is suing to stop the salary the state is paying to Railroad…

New investigators suggested for yogurt shop slayings

The vice chairman of the Austin Public Safety Commission suggested during a public meeting Monday that the Police Department's quest…

Public corruption: Judge OKs request for new lawyer

Two men indicted on federal corruption charges took the stand Monday during an hour-long court hearing as one of them…

R. Allen Stanford tried to hide fraud, his ex-CFO testifies

HOUSTON -- Attempts to cover up a massive Ponzi scheme alleged to have taken billions from depositors at Texas tycoon…

Trial Set Thursday For Man Accused In Constable's Shooting

By DAYNA WORCHEL Staff Writer The trial for a man accused of shooting a Smith County deputy in the upper…

Former commercial pilot in Texas pleads guilty in online child pornography

HOUSTON (AP) -- A former commercial pilot in Texas faces up to 20 years in prison in a child pornography…

UTEP places professor on leave, begins inquiry on outside work

The head of UTEP's Criminal Justice Program has been placed on paid leave while administrators investigate his outside activities that…

Houston-area teen acquitted of killing man

HOUSTON (AP) — A teenage suburban Houston girl accused of killing a man when she was 12 has been acquitted…

Staff to be removed during probe at LA school

LOS ANGELES — The entire staff at an elementary school where two teachers were arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct…

Obama returning big donations from Mexican fugitive's family

Two American brothers of a Mexican casino magnate who fled drug and fraud charges in the United States and has…

Long-awaited ruling on CA gay marriage ban due

SAN FRANCISCO — Supporters and opponents of California's ban on same-sex marriage were anxiously awaiting a federal appeals court decision…

Judge allocates time for start of oil spill trial

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has set aside nearly seven hours for opening statements in a trial over the…

Ind. student sues to wear breast cancer bracelet

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — An Indiana eighth grader sued his school district in federal court Monday for the right to…

Lance Armstrong doping probe ends with no charges

Unlike fellow drug-tainted superstars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, Lance Armstrong apparently won't get his day in court, diminishing the…

Some wonder whether government should be chasing athletes

The federal government pursued a drug case against home run king Barry Bonds for more than seven years. The end…

Defense lawyers complain judges rarely punished

Six months after admitting in a public courtroom that he scratched up a neighbor's car, former Houston Judge Woody Densen…

Judge Abel Limas: 'Every aspect of the case suited everyone'

Legal issues surrounding the case of convicted murderer Amit Livingston still create controversy five years after he disappeared. The most…

Texan stakes claim on vacant house for $16

ROANOKE - A man who's gained notoriety for claiming he can live in a $340,000 suburban Dallas home for $16…

Violence Against Women Act divides John Cornyn, Texas advocacy groups

Sen. John Cornyn (AP photo) Texas Sen. John Cornyn is taking some heat from Texas advocacy groups after joining Republicans…

The $100,000 Question: Should Expedited Trials Be Mandatory or Voluntary?

Angela Morris ContactAll Articles Texas Lawyer Alan Waldrop (left) and David Chamerlain Images: Angela Morris video platformvideo management video solutions…

Ex-CFO testifies that Stanford helped fatten slush fund

HOUSTON -- A former colleague testified Friday that Texas financier R. Allen Stanford helped fake profit numbers for his Caribbean…

Federal jury awards $169,000 to man jailed 10 months despite video clearing him of charge

DALLAS (AP) -- Two Dallas police officers have been ordered to pay $169,000 to a man jailed for 10 months…

2010 Murder Conviction Upheld

The 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler this week affirmed James Arlie Hampton’s 2010 murder conviction by a Henderson County…

Jury selection enters 3rd week in bleach injection capital murder case for Lufkin nurse

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) -- Jury selection is entering a third week in Lufkin the case of a former dialysis nurse…

Texas man gets life in prison for fifth DWI offense

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas -- A Central Texas man has been sent to prison for life after receiving his fifth driving…

Deliberations in trial of Katy girl accused of killing her dad to continue on Monday

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The jury deliberating the case of a Katy teen accused of murdering her dad was still unable…

Scientology dispute hits Bexar courts

One side argued passionately about freedom of speech and religion, and the other side spoke matter-of-factly about contractual obligations. And…

Ex-Cowboy Vollers gets 2½-years on pot charge

DALLAS (AP) — Former Cowboys and Colts offensive lineman Kurt Vollers has been sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison…

Judge backs Boerne on single-member districts

A federal judge Friday ordered Boerne City Council elections in May to again be conducted under a single-member district format,…

Lockridge found guilty in 2009 Longview shooting death, gets life in prison

LONGVIEW (KYTX) -- A jury sentences Toronto Lockridge to life in prison, finding him guilty of murder in a Gregg…

Federal judge sets June fraud trial date for ex-El Paso public school superintendent

EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- A federal judge has set a June 18 trial for former El Paso school district…

Prison for ex-Texas lawyer who stole from clients

FORT WORTH, Texas — A former North Texas lawyer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing more…

Judge reduces bond amount for Whiskerville owner

TEXAS CITY — The owner of an animal shelter where 27 cats died and 186 sickly felines were retrieved last…

Attorneys pulled over by Hurst police allege intimidation

Two days before James Michael Tesi was to go on trial last month for shooting at a Colleyville police officer,…

Appeals by Minor, 2 former judges pending

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Former attorney Paul Minor and two ex-judges have until Monday to file briefs in their ongoing…

Judge allows 'Sister Wives' suit to proceed

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A federal judge has ruled there's sufficient evidence to allow a polygamous family made famous by…

Man pardoned by Barbour charged with DUI weeks before

By Robbie Ward STARKVILLE, Miss (Reuters) - Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was not aware that a man who received…

Sports court strips Contador of 2010 Tour title

MADRID — Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title Monday and banned for two years after…

UK Supreme Court to take up tweeting

The halls of Britain's Supreme Court are becoming a bit more high-tech, as the highest court in the land joins…

'Slave in the White House' looks at little-known life of Paul Jennings

For eight years, beginning with the inauguration of James Madison in March 1809, an African-American slave named Paul Jennings lived…

Family baffled by arrest of North Carolina woman in hit-man case

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Nevine Aly Elshiekh is a dog lover who teaches children with developmental disabilities. She is college-educated and…

Indiana election chief found guilty of voter fraud

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's top elections official could lose his job and his freedom after jurors convicted him of multiple…

New Mexico governor wins round in driver's license battle

SANTA FE -- Republican Gov. Susana Martinez on Friday won a round in her fight to repeal a controversial driver's…

'They use you up': Hall of Famer, former Cowboy Tony Dorsett suing NFL

"It was like a freight train hitting a Volkswagen," Dorsett says now. "Did they know it was a concussion?" he…

Ex-Cowboys WR Hurd trial date April 2 on drug charges

DALLAS -- A federal judge in Dallas has scheduled former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd's trial on drug distribution charges…

Harris County DA looked into grand jurors, but how deeply?

After denying any investigation into the grand jurors who for six months investigated her office, Harris County District Attorney Pat…

Judge tells school officials in prayer suit to be neutral

Be neutral. That was the advice Chief U.S. District Judge Fred Biery gave to school districts Thursday as a controversial…

Judge resets Fort Hood murder trial to June

A military judge overseeing the murder trial of Maj. Nidal Hasan today reset the trial for June 12, a month…

Texas bar suspends license of former county attorney who retaliated against whistle-blowing nurses

LUBBOCK -- The Texas state bar has suspended the law license of a former county attorney who retaliated against two…

Defense questions honesty of witness in Williamson capital murder trial

A witness in the capital murder trial against Bobby Burks Jr. in Williamson County said Thursday that she lied several…

Buehler hires high-profile attorney to fight New Year's Day charges

AUSTIN --  The man accused of resisting arrest and harassing an Austin police officer on New Year’s Day is stepping…

Judge Phyllis Lister Brown Will Soon Get a Shove Off the Bench or a Day in Court

Via. Municipal Court Judge Phyllis Lister Brown ​The city of Dallas wants Municipal Judge Phyllis Lister Brown to leave her…

Fort Worth drug dealer sentenced to 99 years

Call it the drug-dealer retirement plan. Andrea Robles, 32 - who dealt methamphetamine and cocaine from her home in Fort…

Former Fort Worth lawyer sentenced to 10 years

FORT WORTH -- A onetime Fort Worth lawyer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing more than…

Tarrant County board debates ethics of having lawyers act as bondsmen

Tarrant County's bail bond board says it has a problem with attorneys who corner people into hiring them as legal…

Jury to spend third day deliberating fate of girl accused of killing dad

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County jury spent a second day deliberating the fate of a Katy girl who shot…

Federal judge throws the book at Edinburg man in health care fraud case

The owner of a local medical equipment business has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison in connection with…

Wrong-way driver's blood alcohol level was .13

Trial testimony Thursday described Jenny Ann Ybarra as having a blood alcohol level of 0.13 — nearly twice the legal…

Only in Austin: a legal argument about whether it's the state capital

Could Austin not be the capital of Texas? That's the assertion that Railroad Commission Chairwoman Elizabeth Ames Jones makes in…

Top Stanford associate tells of inaccurate financial reports

The star witness against R. Allen Stanford - his former chief financial officer, college roommate and alleged fraud co-conspirator -…

Judge orders mental evaluation for combative air passenger

At the request of his own lawyer, a Miami man accused of disrupting a flight and forcing it to make…

Houston lawyer drops bid for Hutchison's Senate seat

Houston lawyer Jason Gibson withdrew Wednesday from the race to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. "The extensive time…

Father, Son Law Partners Are Mentors And Friends

By DAYNA WORCHEL Staff Writer Attorney T. “Johnny” Ward said he and his father, Judge T. John Ward have always…

Former professor's lawyers want trial pushed back

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- Lawyers for a former Alabama professor accused of killing three colleagues during a faculty meeting want…

Psychologist believes Loughner's still incompetent

PHOENIX — A psychologist believes that the suspect in the Tucson shooting rampage that left then-U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wounded…

California womans small claims victory resonates

LOS ANGELES — Heather Peter's computer crashed under the onslaught of messages following her unique victory over Honda in small…

Political primaries in doubt with ruling pending from fed court

A panel of federal judges told parties in a Texas redistricting case Wednesday not to expect a ruling within 30…

Man indicted by Williamson jury in 1986 death of Christine Morton

A Williamson County grand jury returned a capital murder indictment Wednesday accusing Mark Alan Norwood of the 1986 beating death…

Craig James confronts Leach controversy

Craig James isn't just running against three credible opponents for the Republican nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey…

Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos: What investigator did is not an 'investigation'

After an aggressive denial, now there is news that the Harris County District Attorney did in fact look into the…

New Braunfels 'can ban' suit withdrawn and refiled in Travis County

A group of river-related businesses has sued the City of New Braunfels, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Mark Vickery…

Woman testifies against brother-in-law in 2010 killing

The plan was just to rob the two men to get cash to pay for rent, cars and child care,…

Former Austin officer acquitted of two charges in domestic case

Former Austin police officer Leonardo Quintana was acquitted Wednesday by a Williamson County jury of multiple charges stemming from a…

Prosecutors seek to try teen murder defendant as an adult

Travis County prosecutors believe that a 16-year-old accused of murder in the shooting death of an Akins High School student…

Jury returns guilty verdict in murder trial

A Cameron County jury on Wednesday found Albert Cleveland Stafford, 52, guilty of murder in the 2010 stabbing death of…

Former Corpus Christi law firm operator Mauricio Celis granted review in lawyer impersonation case

CORPUS CHRISTI — A former Corpus Christi law firm operator convicted of impersonating a lawyer has been granted a review…

Teachers seek special session to stop school cuts

Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin Gov. Rick Perry should call Texas legislators back to the Capitol for a special session to…

Receiver sues former Stanford lawyer, 2 firms

The receiver assigned to recover assets of accused swindler R. Allen Stanford and his companies is suing a lawyer and…

Former Waller mayor indicted on pollution charges

Former Waller mayor Paul Wood is facing three felony indictments that accuse him of polluting that city's sanitary sewer system…

Woman takes Honda to small-claims, wins big

A Southern California woman took Honda to small-claims court and won in a big way. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner…

Illinois high court to rule in police torture case

An inmate who says Chicago police officers tortured him into confessing to a brutal rape could learn Thursday whether the…

Swedish prosecutors present case against Assange

Sweden's public prosecutor argued for the extradition of Julian Assange on Thursday, insisting before Britain's Supreme Court that it had…

Mississippi Supreme Court to decide on Barbour pardons

The Mississippi Supreme Court said on Wednesday that it will decide whether a lower court has the authority to block…

Supreme Court to charge Pakistani PM with contempt

If convicted, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani could face six months in prison and the loss of his job. The…

Ruling due on release of gay marriage trial videos

A federal appeals court will announce if it will unseal video recordings of the landmark trial on the constitutionality of…

Fed judge considers if pharmacies must sell Plan B

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- A federal judge is considering whether Washington state can require pharmacies to stock and sell Plan…

Feds argue for graphic images on cigarette packs

WASHINGTON — The federal government fought an uphill battle Wednesday to convince a skeptical judge that tobacco companies should be…

Harris County grand jury won't indict DA's office

HOUSTON — A Harris County grand jury has ended its investigation of the district attorney's office over the Houston police's…

Angry DA blasts grand jury probe as election year ‘outrage’

HOUSTON—A politically charged grand jury investigation into the Harris County District Attorney’s Office came to an end Tuesday not with…

Judges troubled, baffled with Texas redistricting

WASHINGTON — A panel of federal judges said Tuesday that they are troubled and baffled by arguments made by the…

Appeal could mold search warrant requirements

TEXAS CITY — Oral arguments scheduled today before Texas’ highest criminal appeals court on the 99-year sentence for a convicted…

Judge delays Craig James hearing

MCKINNEY — A district judge in Collin County on Tuesday postponed a hearing to determine whether attorneys for U.S. Senate…

Prosecutors may review cold case similar to 2 other slayings

Last year, Dennis Davis was sentenced to 36 years in prison for the 1985 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Natalie Antonetti,…

Corpus Christi woman receives 30 years in prison for possession of cocaine

CORPUS CHRISTI — A Corpus Christi woman took a plea deal Tuesday and received 30 years in prison for drug…

Hurst man tried to get traffic warrant case moved to federal courts

The Hurst man convicted Tuesday of assaulting a Colleyville officer by shooting at him had filed documents in federal courts…

Jury selected in capital murder trial

BROWNSVILLE — Attorneys completed jury selection Monday in a capital murder trial in the 2006 slaying of a man on…

Testimony begins in Toronto Lockridge murder trial in Gregg County

LONGVIEW (KYTX) -- The murder trial of Toronto Lockridge is underway in Gregg County. Lockridge is accused of shooting and…

19 arrested in Big Bend area drug distribution operation

Nineteen people - including ringleaders John Michael Guadarrama, 29, of Sanderson, and Oscar Rojo Fierro, 43, of Alpine, have been…

Open government experts to host Amarillo seminars

Freedom of information experts are scheduled to visit Amarillo on Friday to host an open government seminar for elected officials…

Many super PACS make their first public financial disclosures

Wealthy Texans were far and away the biggest source of funding for super PACs supporting and opposing Gov. Rick Perry's…

Romney wins Florida but many voters unimpressed; turnout less than in 2008

MIAMI (AP) -- Despite two televised debates and a barrage of ads, Florida's big-stakes Republican primary did not translate into…

NFL concussion suits to be consolidated

PHILADELPHIA — At least four lawsuits blaming the NFL for concussion-related dementia and brain disease will be consolidated in Philadelphia,…

Mexican general, 29 soldiers on trial for homicide

MEXICO CITY — A Mexican army general and 29 soldiers under his command in a town on the border with…

Judge: BP contract shielded Halliburton in spill

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Halliburton can avoid paying most of the pollution claims that resulted…

AG requests out-of-county jury for Sandusky trial

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Prosecutors in the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse case asked Tuesday to have jurors brought in from another…

Terry pleading not guilty to racism charge

England captain John Terry has pleaded not guilty to racially abusing an opponent during a Premier League match in October.The…

Upbeat Romney expects to win in Tuesday's Florida primary; Gingrich says he won't stay buried

MIAMI (AP) -- Cheered by new polls, Mitt Romney is all but predicting victory in Tuesday's Republican presidential primary. Newt…

Pardoned Mississippi murderer found in Wyoming

12 © 01/31/2012) (CNN) - A convicted murderer who was pardoned this month in a controversial move by outgoing Mississippi…

Rights groups blast Haiti judge on Duvalier case

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Human rights groups harshly criticized a Haitian judge Monday after he recommended former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier face…

Man forced to wear sign after skipping jury duty

The Chicago Tribune reported that an Indiana man has been forced to stand in front of his local courthouse with…

Nigeria dictator's top aide sentenced to death

LAGOS, Nigeria — A federal judge in Nigeria on Monday sentenced to death the feared right-hand man to Nigeria's former…

Conviction and sentence upheld in Palin email case

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A federal appeals court panel has upheld the conviction and sentence of a University of Tennessee…

Philly judge again finds church cardinal competent

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia judge has again ruled that a retired Roman Catholic cardinal with dementia is competent and…

Lawsuit: FDA monitored whistle-blowers' private email

Current and former Food and Drug Administration officials say in a lawsuit that the agency secretly monitored their private email…

Pa. man convicted of having killed missing wife

An eastern Pennsylvania man whose estranged wife disappeared four years ago has been convicted of first-degree murder and tampering with…

CA Supreme Court reinstates murder conviction

The California Supreme Court on Monday reinstated a man's second-degree murder conviction for killing a well-known San Diego surfer, overturning…

Rick Perry abandons lawsuit against Virginia election law

The final days: Rick Perry campaigns in South Carolina. (AP photo) Rick Perry the states rights champion who claimed in…

Stanford swayed regulators, witness says

An Antiguan banking official told jurors Monday that R. Allen Stanford used his influence to manipulate the island nation's regulators…

Teen claims she killed dad because of abuse

HOUSTON - The trial of a teenager accused of killing her father was expected to go to a jury soon.Attorneys…

Man given 8 years for selling guns to cartel; weapons used in ICE agent's murder

HOUSTON — A federal judge in Houston has sentenced a Texas man to more than eight years in prison for…

Inmate sues over prison beard ban

Published: 8:39 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 An inmate at a Beeville state prison is suing the Texas Department of…

Analysis: The pressure builds for a redistricting settlement

Two panels of federal judges continued to hear the legal cases on redistricting of the Texas Legislature and congressional districts…

District Attorney Esparza Says Blood Draw is Necessary to Prosecute DWI Offenders

With Super Bowl weekend coming up, many people are going to celebrate and sometimes that means drinking and possibly getting…

Ex-FLDS leader’s bigamy trial moved

SAN ANGELO, Texas  -- A judge has moved the bigamy trial of a former lieutenant to polygamist sect leader…

Kidnapper gets 30 years for abducting Denton County woman

A convicted kidnapper who abducted and robbed a Denton County woman in 2010 as she drove home from work has…

Court of appeals rules against county in bondsman fee case

The 2nd Court of Appeals has ruled against Denton County in a suit filed by Vic and Eydie Burgess concerning…

Capital murder trial in Williamson County begins

GEORGETOWN — The capital murder trial of a man who police say robbed and killed a man who was giving…

Judge reimburses campaign for property taxes

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Lawrence Meyers has reimbursed his campaign for property taxes on a second home in…

Redistricting fight may delay political conventions in Texas

FORT WORTH -- Hundreds of thousands of dollars hang in the balance as the date of Texas' primary remains up…

Couple charged in Abel Limas corruption case

Authorities have made two more arrests in a corruption case involving former 404th State District Court Judge Abel Limas. A…

Texas do-it-yourself litigants need help

The Texas Supreme Court did right by pro se litigants by rejecting the State Bar of Texas' request to suspend…

UTEP professor's side jobs net $1M: Earnings tied to companies, agency named in public corruption case

The head of UTEP's Criminal Justice Program has been paid more than $1 million by agencies and companies led by…

State Attorney General Greg Abbott seeks dismissal of lawsuit against him, city of El Paso

State Attorney General Greg Abbott has sought to dismiss a lawsuit against himself and the city of El Paso brought…

Judge: Parker County not the place for couple's lawsuit against Range Resources

A state district judge has ruled that a Parker County couple lacks legal jurisdiction to sue Fort Worth-based Range Resources…

Attorney seeks to unseal lawsuit against Dupuy

GALVESTON — A Houston attorney wants a judge to unseal a lawsuit that led to a $25,000 judgment against Christopher…

Celebrity pot busts put tiny Texas county on map

SIERRA BLANCA — Nestled among the few remaining businesses that dot a rundown highway in this dusty West Texas town…

Bribe lands ex-banker behind bars

CASA in serious need of volunteers

RUSK —  With a recent explosion of court cases involving children, the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA)…

State panel denies grants for Texas Panhandle courthouses

Three Texas Panhandle counties failed to get some of $21 million in courthouse restoration grants awarded Friday by the Texas…

Biery's the man Gingrich just loves to hate

When former House Speaker Newt Gingrich calls out activist judges on the campaign trail, the name he mentions most often…

Judicious temperament: Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks up against political attacks on courts.

ON or off the bench, Supreme Court justices tend to be discreet about the court's relationship to politics. So when…

Romney, Gingrich intensify attacks in Florida

LADY LAKE, Fla. — They call this the Sunshine State, but the political climate going into Tuesday's presidential primary was…

Relatives found guilty in 'honor' killings

KINGSTON, Ontario -- A jury on Sunday found an Afghan man, his wife and their son guilty of killing three…

Candidate to appeal ruling that her English isn't good enough

YUMA, Ariz. -- A City Council candidate in Arizona who was barred from running because she isn't proficient in English…

Suit contends Apple, Google, others colluded to prevent bidding wars over employees

In Silicon Valley's white-hot competition for tech talent, programmers can face a daily barrage of calls from recruiters seeking to…

Husband eyed in death of NY woman found in bathtub

NEW YORK (AP) — Shele Covlin's body was found in the bathtub of her Manhattan apartment by her 9-year-old daughter…

FBI targets more suspects in police scandal

File photo of a man who has been arrested. (Graeme Robertson, Getty Images) EAST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — The arrests…

Feds: Megaupload user data could be gone Thursday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors say data from users of Megaupload could be deleted as soon as Thursday.U.S. prosecutors have…

Fathers challenge jail sentences for child support

ATLANTA (AP) — After Lance Hendrix returned from military service in 2009, he landed part-time construction work and odd jobs…

Need for court artists fades as cameras move in

One marker in hand and one in his mouth, Lou Chukman glances up and down from a sketchpad to a…

Expert says GOP redistricting changes damaged minorities' electoral opportunities

This is how the federal judges redrew Bexar County's congressional lines. Testimony in a trial before a three-judge panel to…

Without maps, planning election is a challenge

The delay in drawing new districts for the state Senate and House and for the U.S. Congress is causing big…

Texas executes convicted killer

HUNTSVILLE — Convicted murderer Rodrigo Hernandez was executed Thursday night for the abduction, rape and strangulation of a 38-year-old woman…

Jurors recess for the night in Rockwell capital murder trial

FORT WORTH -- A Tarrant County jury deciding the punishment for convicted killer Kwame Rockwell deliberated for several hours on…

Galveston judge fined $7,500 in malpractice lawsuit fight

GALVESTON — Galveston County Court-at-Law Judge Christopher Dupuy was fined $7,500 Thursday for improperly trying to remove the judge overseeing…

Jury weighing arguments in Travis inmate death case

A federal jury began deliberating Thursday in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Rachel Jackson, a 21-year-old…

Former child center's director guilty of theft

LUBBOCK, Texas — A West Texas woman who formerly ran a children's advocacy center has pleaded guilty to a theft…

Army recruiter pleads guilty to swindling $190,000 in bonuses

Sgt. 1st Class Jesus Torres-Alvarez, 31, and five other soldiers were indicted by a federal grand jury in September. On…

Former Grapevine worker pleads guilty to bilking city

A former Grapevine animal control supervisor has pleaded guilty to bilking the city out of almost $6,000 worth of property.…

Jury verdict sends right DWI message

If there was any doubt about it, a jury last week confirmed driving while intoxicated will not be tolerated in…

Slain Corpus Christi woman's boyfriend will not face trial in assault case

CORPUS CHRISTI — A Corpus Christi man will not face trial on charges that he choked his girlfriend, who was…

Sewer spat spoils Houston suburban serenity

Was it sewer sabotage or self-defense? That was the question hanging in the genteel air of two of Houston's toniest…

Stanford witness tells of life in pressure cooker

As the worldwide financial crisis took hold in 2008, investors in certificates of deposit issued by R. Allen Stanford's bank…

Matagorda County cries foul over EPA's foul-air claim

Texas 60 slices through Matagorda County, offering alternate glimpses of rural charm and a hollowed economy. Through a windshield, it…

Fredericksburg councilman faces recall effort over tax suit

Petitions circulating in Fredericksburg are aimed at getting a recall referendum on the May ballot for Councilman Tommy Segner over…

DA candidate returns illegal campaign donations

Scott Monroe, a candidate for district attorney in the 198th judicial district, says he refunded $550 in contributions by corporations…

Hostess asks judge to slash union obligations

NEW YORK (AP) — Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Wonder Bread and Twinkies that filed for bankruptcy reorganization earlier…

Justice unit to probe mortgage-backed securities

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new Justice Department fraud-fighting unit will bring together 55 prosecutors and federal and state investigators focusing…

Judge won't delay decision in tobacco case

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday said she won't delay an order in a 12-year-old lawsuit against…

Texas High Court Moves Forward to Create Divorce Forms

Ignoring the State Bar of Texas' suggestion to hold off, the Texas Supreme Court has decided not to suspend the…

El Paso County Court judge tied to company in federal inquiry

For 17 years -- including 14 when he was on the bench -- County Court-at-Law 3 Judge Javier Alvarez was…

Killer's father asks jurors to 'let him live'

FORT WORTH -- Convicted killer Kwame Rockwell's father -- in tears on the witness stand -- had one request for…

Killer's father asks jurors to 'let him live'

FORT WORTH -- Convicted killer Kwame Rockwell's father -- in tears on the witness stand -- had one request for…

Judge hears audio of Hurst shootout

FORT WORTH -- As James Michael Tesi lay on his garage floor, wounded in a shootout with a Colleyville police…

Judge hears audio of Hurst shootout

FORT WORTH -- As James Michael Tesi lay on his garage floor, wounded in a shootout with a Colleyville police…

Judge hears audio of Hurst shootout

FORT WORTH -- As James Michael Tesi lay on his garage floor, wounded in a shootout with a Colleyville police…

One-on-one interviews begin in jury selection for murder trial

Personal views on the death penalty took center stage Wednesday in the second day of jury selection in the Kimberly…

One-on-one interviews begin in jury selection for murder trial

Personal views on the death penalty took center stage Wednesday in the second day of jury selection in the Kimberly…

Ex-Stanford employees testify of early suspicions

Two former employees of R. Allen Stanford's financial services operation told federal jurors Wednesday that they saw problems with it…

District attorney giving HPD $475,000 for breath-test units

The Harris County District Attorney's Office provided the Houston Police Department nearly half a million dollars to purchase additional breath-alcohol…

Jurors find Zetas hit man guilty

LAREDO — Jurors in the federal trial of Gerardo Castillo Chavez on Wednesday convicted him of five charges, concluding he…

Houston puts red-light camera settlement on hold

The City Council on Wednesday delayed approval of a $4.8 million settlement with its red-light camera vendor amid questions about…

Grand jury declines to indict officer accused of striking suspect

A Travis County grand jury has declined to indict an Austin police officer who struck a female suspect after that…

Leach attorney disputes James petition against authors

Next week a hearing in Collin County will weigh whether Craig James’ attorney can take depositions from people involved with…

Oakland police could face federal takeover

Mayor Jean Quan vowed Wednesday to quickly reform the scandal-plagued Oakland Police Department after a frustrated judge threatened a federal…

Ex-head of French breast implant maker arrested

The former head of a French company at the center of a breast implant scandal affecting tens of thousands of…

Jury awards $22M to former inmate for 'deplorable conditions'

LAS CRUCES - A federal jury in Santa Fe awarded a former Do-a Ana County Detention Center inmate $22 million…

Jury awards $22M to former inmate for 'deplorable conditions'

LAS CRUCES - A federal jury in Santa Fe awarded a former Do-a Ana County Detention Center inmate $22 million…

Scotland's leader wants voters to decide independence

LONDON - Scotland's leader has presented his proposal for a ballot on independence - and his ideas include letting 16-…

Family appeals for $20M verdict over nude photos

ATLANTA (AP) — A divisive free speech legal fight involving nude photos of a model that were published after she…

San Antonio court considers splitting party primaries

A federal court in San Antonio said Monday that it is "giving serious consideration" to calling for split dates for…

Warrant needed for GPS tracking, high court says

WASHINGTON — In a rare defeat for law enforcement, the Supreme Court unanimously agreed on Monday to bar police from…

Texas sues feds over voter ID law

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott filed suit against the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday in an effort to speed…

Harris County lawyer questioned over Eversole leniency letter

A top assistant in the Harris County Attorney's office is drawing criticism for a letter in which he asked a…

Trial surrounding jail inmate's death begins

The warning that comes with Mellaril, an antipsychotic drug, advises that its use can cause a patient's heart to beat…

Corpus Christi tapped for testing of video cameras on side of school buses

CORPUS CHRISTI — Corpus Christi is one of three U.S. cities chosen for a pilot program placing video cameras on…

Arguments for El Paso City Council recall appeal start today

Oral arguments will be held today in Mayor John Cook's appeal of a lower-court decision not to halt an attempt…

Jury selection begins in case of Lufkin nurse charged with killing patients with bleach

A former DaVita dialysis nurse accused of killing five patients by injecting them with bleach sat in an Angelina County…

Stanford jury selection continues for second day

Jury selection in the $7 billion fraud trial of R. Allen Stanford will continue Tuesday because nearly half the pool…

Family court judge arrested, faces DWI charge

FORTH WORTH -- A family court associate judge was arrested last week after police reported seeing his pickup weaving across…

Dogs to return to Alpha Tex owners

Roughly 150 dogs removed from a Floyd County kennel on suspicion of abuse will be returned after a jury decided…

Closing arguments set in lawsuit by Garth Brooks

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) — Closing arguments have been scheduled in country music star Garth Brooks' lawsuit against an Oklahoma hospital…

Longest-service Pennsylvania lawmaker goes on trial

By Mark Shade HARRISBURG, Penn (Reuters) - The corruption trial of Pennsylvania's longest-serving state lawmaker, H. William DeWeese, opened on…

Spanish judge on trial again, for Franco-era probe

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish judge who became an international human rights hero by indicting Augusto Pinochet went on trial…

Woman who returned adopted Russian boy faces suit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — An American woman who sent her adopted Russian son back to Moscow alone on a plane…

Mexico authorities unravel child trafficking ring

ZAPOPAN, Mexico — The Irish couples ensnared in an apparent illegal adoption ring in western Mexico thought they were involved…

Federal judge will determine Golden Globes' future

A little more than a week after handing out Golden Globes to show business elite, members of the Hollywood Foreign…

Supreme Courts rejects Texas' interim district maps

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected Texas redistricting maps drawn by a panel of federal judges in San Antonio…

Reversal of sonogram law not likely in Sparks' court, he says

District Judge Sam Sparks made it clear Friday that opponents of the state's new pre-abortion sonogram requirement have little hope…

DA probes Dupuy's residency at time of filing

GALVESTON — Police records, a lease agreement and statements from a judge’s former wife raise questions about whether the jurist…

Red-light camera settlement going to City Council

It will cost the city of Houston at least $4.8 million to get out of its contract for red-light cameras,…

Dallas attorney pleads guilty to murdering his former law partner's ex-wife

Handcuffed and sitting beside his defense attorney, Dallas plaintiffs lawyer Scott Marshall today pleaded guilty to murdering Staci Michelle Montgomery,…

Trial begins today in shootout with Colleyville officer

Attached to the walkway leading to James Michael Tesi's front door in north Hurst is a sign that reads, "Posted…

Upshur County man says no justice as charges against officials dropped

An Upshur County resident whose removal from a 2010 commissioners court meeting spurred charges against three elected officials says he’s…

Hurd changes lawyers, will plead not guilty

San Antonio's Sam Hurd, who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, has changed lawyers and plans to plead…

Upcoming Ride for Cure Dedicated to Judge Hyde

Nick Lawton NewsWest 9 MIDLAND - Since 2009, Midland's American Legion riders have hosted annual rides to support a cure…

Woman fights in court to keep pygmy goat

Lillian Webber and her lawyer fought in Amarillo Municipal Court today to keep the 46-pound pygmy goat Webber says…

Not guilty verdict handed down in AlphaTex Kennel's animal abuse case

Lindsey Stiner is a news anchor and reporter with Pronews 7.read more » Friend Lindsey Follow Us Contact Lindsey Lindsey's…

Psychologists question mandatory reporter law

Mental health providers have questioned for years whether child abuse reporting laws apply to adult patients who talk about their…

Guilt leads inmate to try clearing executed friend

They were two teenagers who shared a deadly pact of silence: One grew up in prison tortured by a secret…

Boater sentenced in '02 crash that killed teen on Lake Buchanan

A Burnet County man was sentenced on Friday to 100 days in county jail and 10 years of probation for…

Former Brooks County sheriff under investigation for use of seized cash

FALFURRIAS — An auditor found more than $500,000 in questionable purchases through former Brooks County Sheriff Balde Lozano's criminal asset…

Former Brooks County sheriff under investigation for use of seized cash

FALFURRIAS — An auditor found more than $500,000 in questionable purchases through former Brooks County Sheriff Balde Lozano's criminal asset…

Rio Hondo teacher slaying case postponed until spring

BROWNSVILLE — A judge on Friday gave prosecutors and defense attorneys more time to prepare for the capital murder case…

As new questions emerge, former District Attorney Garza speaks about forfeiture funds

FALFURRIAS — The former South Texas district attorney who pleaded guilty in March to a felony for misuse of asset…

Cleveland teen admits his role in 11-year-old's gang rape

LIBERTY - A Cleveland juvenile who is one of 20 people accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl admitted on…

Two Winona Residents Arrested For Casting Illegal Votes In 2009

By ADAM RUSSELL Staff Writer Two Winona residents are awaiting legal action by the Texas Attorney General's Office regarding illegal…

Stanford saga set to enter its next phase

Nearly three years after his world shrank from seaside luxury to a Houston jail cell, R. Allen Stanford will stand…

Health overhaul lags in many states, including Texas

Three out of four uninsured Americans live in states that have yet to figure out how to deliver on the…

State College residents mourn Paterno's death

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Joe Paterno's death from lung cancer Sunday just two months after his firing left many Penn…

Scalia on unlimited political ads: Turn off the TV

Scalia was asked about the decision during a presentation before the South Carolina Bar on Saturday, exactly two years after…

Gingrich upends GOP with S.C. win

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich surged to a come-from-behind landslide in South Carolina on Saturday as conservative…

Civil Suit Against Ben Roethlisberger Dismissed

A settlement was reached in a civil lawsuit filed against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger by a woman who accused…

Maldives vice president ashamed by judge's arrest

MALE, Maldives — The Maldives vice president said Saturday that he is "ashamed and totally devastated" that the government in…

Judge denies BP request to penalize Halliburton

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge shot down BP's request to penalize Halliburton for allegedly destroying damaging evidence about…

Chevron appeals $8.6 billion ruling

(CNN) - Chevron filed an appeal with Ecuador's National Court to review a ruling that it must pay billions of…

Court says lawyer in murder case deserves pay

CHARLEVOIX, Mich. (AP) — A northern Michigan county set aside $50,000 to search a landfill for evidence in a suspected…

DWI court alternative to jail time

Nearly everyone's life has been touched in some way by someone suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction.Thanks to a…

Hearing set for former CAC director Debra Brown

SAN ANGELO, Texas — A plea hearing has been set for Debra Brown, a former Children's Advocacy Center director who…

Johnson & Johnson settles Texas lawsuit for $158M

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas and a subsidiary of health care giant Johnson & Johnson reached a $158 million settlement in…

Fight for Oklahoma water goes to Supreme Court

The quest to get water from Oklahoma for North Texas isn't over.In the latest twist to its five-year legal battle…

Congresswoman says Texas' maps don't ensure black and Latino representation

WASHINGTON -- A longtime Dallas congresswoman testified Wednesday that Texas' political redistricting doesn't ensure that both blacks and Latinos have…

Human trafficking conference attracts about 70 South Texas residents

CORPUS CHRISTI — Young girls being forced into sex and labor is depicted in movies as an international problem, but…

Lubbock judge shoots down gun rights lawsuit

For the second time in roughly four months, a Lubbock federal judge has ruled against the NRA in two gun…

Contempt of court order placed on sheriff's office

The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office is trying to find property seized from a federal inmate more than 10 years ago…

Testimony continues in fatal DWI sentencing

SAN ANTONIO - Sandra Briggs spent the day in court as jurors listed to more testimony, while trying to decide…

Jury finds Nacogdoches man not guilty of assaulting jailer

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - A Nacogdoches County jury has found a man not guilty of assaulting a jailer in December…

Suspect in Corsicana torture case will not plead insanity

WEATHERFORD -- A Corsicana man accused of kidnapping a Parker County woman and sexually torturing her for 12 days last…

Not Guilty: Jury acquits Anderson of sexual assault

BROWNSVILLE — The courtroom was quiet enough for a pin drop to be heard as one by one, jurors confirmed…

Fort Worth man with history of beating women sentenced to 30 years

FORT WORTH -- A Forth Worth man with a history of raping and abusing women has been sentenced to 30…

Prosecution Drops Charges Against Upshur Officials

GILMER--Two state judges have granted prosecution motions to dismiss virtually all misdemeanor cases against three Upshur County elected officials, according…

Rick Perry’s top ten 'oops!' moments of his campaign

Texas Gov. Rick Perry withdraws from race for White House (AP Photo) By Caroline Ward Washington Bureau Rick Perry’s presidential…

Smith to move forward with SOPA despite defections

WASHINGTON — Despite a public relations victory for the tech industry against online piracy bills, a San Antonio lawmaker at…

Judge pares down fees for attorneys in BP case

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has ruled that people pursuing their Gulf of Mexico oil spill claims against BP…

Feds shut down file-sharing site, arrest founder

McLEAN, Va. -- One of the world's largest file-sharing sites was shut down Thursday, and its founder and several company…

Most Barbour pardons fail notice test: attorney general

(Reuters) - More than three-quarters of the prisoners and ex-convicts pardoned by former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour in his final…

House panel subpoenas prosecutor in Fast and Furious investigation

WASHINGTON -- A House committee looking into the flawed gun-smuggling investigation called Operation Fast and Furious has subpoenaed a federal…

Murdoch to pay Jude Law, 36 others for hacking

LONDON (AP) — Rupert Murdoch's media empire apologized and agreed to cash payouts Thursday to 37 people — including a…

Ex-wife says Gingrich wanted 'open marriage'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dredging up a past that Newt Gingrich has worked hard to bury, the GOP presidential candidate's second…

Seafarers outraged that captain jumped ship

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Seafaring tradition holds that the captain should be last to leave a sinking ship. But is it…

Polish politician tries to smoke pot in parliament

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The leader of a new left-wing party in Poland is threatening to light up a joint…

Morton lawyers press for inquiry of former district attorney

Updated: 9:53 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 Published: 9:44 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 Dismissing former prosecutor Ken Anderson's defense…

Lawyers for man accused in Morton killing given more time to prepare for hearing

Attorneys for Mark Norwood, the man accused of killing Christine Morton in 1986, asked for and received more time to…

Two former Dell employees part of insider trading scheme, officials say

Two former Dell Inc. employees were part of a record-setting insider trading scheme that netted more than $61.8 million in…

Attorney seeks recusals in high-profile parole hearing

An attorney for high-profile Texas convict Eroy Brown on Wednesday sought to have two state parole officials removed from deciding…

Texas officials testify that redistricting process was 'bipartisan'

State Rep. Todd Hunter (Official photo) Lawyers for Texas defended the state’s redistricting plans Tuesday as open, bipartisan and compliant…

Sierra Club files suit over coal plants' emission permits

State regulators allowed four coal plants to breeze through a permitting process, skipping time for public comment and closer scrutiny…

From private school student in Plano to al-Qaida agent

Moeed Abdul Salam didn't descend into radical Islam for lack of other options. He grew up in a well-off Texas…

Witnesses tell of Fort Worth killer's schemes and threats

FORT WORTH -- Convicted killer Kwame Rockwell concocted robbery schemes, pointed a gun at his wife in 2001, assaulted her…

Ex-Fort Worth teacher pleads guilty

FORT WORTH -- A former Fort Worth teacher accused of having sex with a 16-year-old student pleaded guilty to having…

Jurors continue deliberations in assault trial

BROWNSVILLE — Jurors asked to review testimony given by one of Carlos Levon Anderson’s accusers Wednesday as deliberations continued in…

Former ICE analyst sentenced in travel fund scheme

EL PASO, Texas — A former Intelligence analyst for Immigration and Customs Enforcement was sentenced to prison Wednesday for his…

Judge again refuses to delay Stanford trial

Investors who entrusted billions of dollars to R. Allen Stanford's company were getting returns on schedule until securities regulators intervened,…

Dallas teen's family details deportation ordeal

DALLAS — Jakadrien Turner's story begins at a DART station in downtown Dallas. That's where she met some men who…

LaPrade Receives Suspended Sentence

By DAYNA WORCHEL Staff Writer A Van Zandt County commissioner convicted of sitting in a county-owned vehicle while intoxicated received…

Conflict brewing over street name

The proposed renaming of a short street on the near West Side has drawn opposition from preservationists. The University Health…

As Web piracy bill protests surge, senators changing course

Updated: 10:07 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 Published: 8:24 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 Online protests on Wednesday cut into…

German prosecutor seeks to jail Nazi war criminal

A Bavarian prosecutor says he has filed a motion to have a Dutchman convicted in the Netherlands of Nazi war…

Garth Brooks wants $500,000 back from Oklahoma hospital

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Garth Brooks appeared before a friendly crowd Tuesday — the jurors who will hear his claim that…

Harris County DA testifies in grand jury probe

Harris County District Attorney Pat Lykos testified Tuesday in a grand jury investigation of the Houston Police Department's controversial mobile…

Man found guilty of killing clerk during Fort Worth store robbery

FORT WORTH -- Kwame Rockwell was found guilty Tuesday afternoon of killing clerk Daniel Rojas during the 2010 robbery of…

Former tech executive acquitted on bribery charges

HOUSTON — A former Texas-based executive has been found not guilty of federal charges that he arranged bribes to a…

Charges Against Upshur County Commissioner, Sheriff Dismissed

By PHILLIP WILLIAMS Special Correspondent GILMER — Two state district judges have granted prosecution motions to dismiss virtually all misdemeanor…

Jury is ready to hear case in Zetas killings

LAREDO — Opening arguments are expected to begin today in the trial of a man accused of being a hit…

Assets from drug boss go to Texas law enforcement

McALLEN, Texas — Nearly $30 million of a former Mexican drug cartel boss' assets have been distributed to a dozen…

District judge to weigh in on family's HOA fight

A family's fight with their homeowners association is now in front of a Williamson County Judge. The Patton family in…

Jury continues deliberation on sexual assault trial

Jurors will continue deliberations today in the trial of a Harlingen karate instructor accused of sexually assaulting three teenage girls…

Painful lesson for Plano dad: Daughter in exile overseas

PLANO — Bart Hermer said he never expected his daughter’s childhood to develop the way it has over the last…

State's attorneys defend redistricting maps

WASHINGTON — Lawyers for Texas defended the state's redistricting plans Tuesday as open, bipartisan and compliant with constitutional requirements despite…

Holder issues challenge to Texas on voter rights

AUSTIN - The nation's top law enforcement official drew attention to two of the state's hot-button political issues - redistricting…

Texas Almanac offers a challenge for state history buffs

U.S. officials say a former BP executive was paid $107,000 a month to do consulting for a company lawyer, but…

Japanese firm to pay $54.6M over bribery charges

HOUSTON — Justice Department officials say a Japanese company that helped a former Halliburton Co. subsidiary bribe Nigerian officials to…

Wikipedia, other sites to go dark to protest bills on Web piracy

The wave of online protests against two bills in Congress that aim to curtail copyright violations on the Internet is…

Border Patrol to get tough on repeat offenders

The U.S. Border Patrol is moving to halt a revolving door policy of sending illegal immigrants back to Mexico without…

Supreme Court rejects appeals in student online speech cases

(Austin American-Statesman © 01/18/2012)
The U.S. Supreme Court has passed up a set of cases for the online…

Jury set for NY trial in murder of Texas dancer

GOSHEN, N.Y. — A jury has been seated for the murder trial of an upstate New York man charged with…

Texas redistricting case goes before fed court

WASHINGTON - A three-judge federal court panel will begin hearing two weeks of testimony Tuesday to determine whether the Texas…

Houston's inspector general resigns

The city of Houston's top internal affairs investigator is resigning after 14 months on the job. Inspector General Robert Doguim's…

Rick Perry shows no signs of dropping out of race during debate

The Republican presidential candidates debated the merits of capitalism Monday at a free-wheeling debate marked by sharp exchanges between frontrunner…

Candidates disagree over indefinite detention

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- The Republican candidates have sharp disagreements over a new policy to detain American citizens suspected…

For sale sign nears for private Galveston beach

GALVESTON - "Beach for sale." That sign will soon be up for the only privately owned beach on the Texas…

Dr Pepper goes from `Dublin' to dumber

Dublin's annual Dr Pepper festival may remain, but won't be the same (KRT) Somewhere amid the suburban sprawl of northern…

Officer Expected To Take Stand At Commissioner's Trial

By EMILY GUEVARA Staff Writer A Canton Police officer is expected to take the stand today during the second day…

Round Rock family's fight with HOA heads to court

Construction on the Patton family’s backyard shed began in August 2010. At that time, Brian Patton said he was given…

Lubbock transition center aims to assist at-risk youth

Local leaders joined together at the Lubbock BCFS Health and Human Services’ Transition Center on Monday, introducing the facility to…

Midlanders come together to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

As he grasped the American flag in his hands, 8-year-old Jakylan Fuller-Reed proudly led his peers as a dozen children…

Longtime senator faces rare primary challenge

Uncertainty hangs over some potentially contentious political campaigns in Texas, thanks to pending court challenges over where the boundary lines…

3 more women held in Mexico child-trafficking case

Mexican investigators detained three more women in the city of Guadalajara in connection with an apparent child-trafficking ring that aimed…

Trial of elderly alleged robbers set to begin

CHICAGO (AP) — The trial of two reputed mobsters and a third man accused of plotting multiple robberies is set…

Poland slaps fine on singer for bashing Bible

A Polish court slapped a fine on a popular singer who bad-mouthed the Bible _ the latest episode in which…

Electronic Arts sues to use images of weapons, aircraft without paying their makers

A leading producer of high-tech and action video and computer games is asking a federal court to rule that it…

Arizona sheriff to appeal judge's racial profiling ruling

PHOENIX -- An Arizona sheriff known for his anti-illegal immigration tactics is appealing a federal judge's ruling that prohibits his…

Lohan returns to court for latest probation update

Lindsay Lohan is returning to court to give a judge her second update on how she's faring under strict new…

Spanish judge who charged Pinochet stands trial

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish judge who became an international human rights hero by indicting former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet…

Maldives military arrests senior judge

MALE, Maldives (AP) - The Maldives' military has arrested the chief justice of the country's criminal court after he released…

Trial to resume in Giants Stadium escalator suit

HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) — A jury is set to resume hearing testimony in a lawsuit over an escalator accident at…

Texas Supreme Court ponders age bias lawsuit

Can a 48-year-old secretary, fired from a South Texas school, sue for age discrimination when the woman hired to replace…

School funding, lawsuits never seem to end

Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Scott Brister, who cast the only dissenting vote in a decision that threw out the…

Court clears way for immediate enforcement of Texas' sonogram law

A federal appeals court cleared the way Friday for Texas to immediately begin enforcing a new law requiring doctors to…

Did prosecutors suppress evidence in Morton case?

Texas has the distinction of having more convicts exonerated on the basis of DNA evidence than any other state. Forty-five…

Court interpreters translate into high cost for Lubbock County

Scant qualified court interpreters and increased demand has translated into higher costs for Lubbock County. In a recent felony trial…

Scholarship set up to honor Judge Hyde

The Midland Teen Court is establishing a significant memorial college scholarship as a way to honor one of the organization’s…

Jury Member Apologizes to Philen for Guilty Verdict, Life Sentencing

A Brownwood judge overturned a ruling Friday in a murder case that sentenced Randall Philen to life in prison for…

Trial in 1986 beating death set to start this week

Mark Norwood will be led into a Georgetown courtroom Wednesday to face capital murder charges in a killing that took…

Limas, Solis sentencing pushed back again

BROWNSVILLE — The sentencing date for former 404th state District Judge Abel C. Limas and former state Rep. Jim Solis…

Laredo trial to lay bare inner workings of Zetas cartel

Federal prosecutors are expected to lay bare the inner workings of the Zetas drug-trafficking organization as they try to secure…

Former Fort Worth resident indicted in stem-cell treatments

A former Fort Worth resident who ran a scientific "foundation" out of a shipping service on Lake Worth Boulevard is…

Former Asian Chamber of Commerce of Austin director indicted

The former executive director of the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Austin has been indicted by a Travis County grand…

Perry appeals judge’s ruling on Virginia primary ballot

Rick Perry campaigns at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Prayer Breakfast on Sunday in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)…

Lawyer was the bridge over troubled waters

Robert Gulley returned to San Antonio after 44 years to accept a job with the expectation he would fail. His…

Workers tear down famed home of Texas prison rodeo

A piece of entertainment history is tumbling as workers demolish a Texas prison rodeo arena that hosted many stars through…

Man gets 50 years in attack on Capital Metro driver

After convicting him in a June attack on a Capital Metro bus driver, a Travis County jury late Thursday sentenced…

Texas judge jails transgender widow

A Houston judge has jailed the transgender widow of a fallen firefighter after she was late for a scheduled court…

Defense calls witnesses in karate instructor's trial

Four teenage girls testified Friday that Carlos Anderson never inappropriately touched them while they attended his Harlingen karate studio. The…

Judge tells Stanford attorneys to stay on case

A judge ordered accused swindler R. Allen Stanford's court-appointed lawyers to stay on the case, rejecting their claim that budget…

One of ex-Syracuse assistant's accusers admits lying

A prison inmate who was one of four men to accuse a former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach of sexual…

Philippine chief justice impeachment trial starts

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines' first impeachment trial of a Supreme Court justice opened Monday, in a major battle…

Crash and burn time for Spain's crusading judge?

MADRID (AP) He indicted late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet on genocide charges and became an instant hero to many around…

Ohio county prosecutor asks governor to appeal to U.S. Supreme Court over delay of execution

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A county prosecutor asked Ohio on Saturday to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case…

Okla. water adjudication likely a lengthy process

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Simmering conflicts between the state and leaders of the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations over water rights…

Fla. jury awards $12.6M in teen's vaccine error

MIAMI (AP) — A teenager who lost all four limbs because of a vaccination error has won a $12.6 million…

Judge: John Edwards has life-threatening condition

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ex-presidential candidate John Edwards has a serious heart condition that will require a medical procedure next…

Federal judge upholds Indianas school voucher law

INDIANAPOLIS — A federal judge in Indiana has upheld the nation's largest school voucher law and rejected opponents' arguments the…

Constable Abercia, two staffers indicted in corruption probe

Constable Jack Abercia, a veteran lawman with more than 41 years of service in Harris County's Precinct 1, faces a…

Judge orders state agency to hand over DaVita report

With less than two weeks before jury selection in the capital murder trial of a former Lufkin dialysis nurse accused…

Ex-congressman loses $1.2M suit against teens in shooting

A former U.S. congressman lost a $1.2 million civil lawsuit he filed against two teenagers he was indicted for shooting…

Jury fines flea market $3.6 million over knock-off Vuittons

SAN ANTONIO - A federal jury Thursday slapped a local flea market with a $3.6 million award to the designer…

Ex-con tells Fort Worth jury of walking into aftermath of robbery at gas station

FORT WORTH -- An ex-convict testified Thursday that he stumbled into the aftermath of an armed robbery just a minute…

Ex Willacy Co. D.A.: If you can't beat 8-liners, join them

There’s a new 8-liner operating in Lyford with about 500 gaming machines under one roof. But unlike others in Willacy…

Woman says instructor repeatedly molested her

There’s a new 8-liner operating in Lyford with about 500 gaming machines under one roof. But unlike others in Willacy…

Testimony continues in Bluebonnet Electric class-action lawsuit

Testimony continued in Bastrop Thursday in the class-action lawsuit against Bluebonnet Electric Co-op and McCoy Tree Surgery. The plaintiffs in…

Interlock devices mandatory for DWI second offenders

LONGVIEW,TX (KLTV)- DWI arrests are nothing new to law enforcement, but more second offenders are getting more than they bargained…

Civil War Vets’ Descendants Form New Branch Of Group

By BETTY WATERS Staff Writer ATHENS — Men descended from soldiers who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War…

Dewhurst on defensive during first Texas U.S. Senate debate

Published: 10:48 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 Texas Republicans vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate crowded onto a…

Barbour's Mississippi pardons unusually bold, law experts say

By Joseph Ax NEW YORK (Reuters) - Outgoing Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour's unconditional pardons for several convicted murderers still serving…

Justice Dept. defends Obama on recess appointments

President Barack Obama had the power to lawfully consider the Senate to be on a lengthy break even though Congress…

Colbert preps prez run, transfers PAC to Stewart

Stephen Colbert isn't running for president — at least not yet. During Thursday night's episode of "The Colbert Report," Colbert…

Judge in NC hears bid to delay John Edwards trial

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge in North Carolina will consider whether former presidential candidate John Edwards goes on…

Okla. judge pleads no contest, resigns from office

BUFFALO, Okla. (AP) - A Harper County judge accused of downloading obscene videos on his state computer has pleaded no…

NCAA president pushes to clean up college sports

INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA President Mark Emmert would like to erase all the tawdry tales from his first full year in…

GOP defendant faces sentencing in corruption case

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A former Republican aide in Pennsylvania's House of Representatives is being sentenced on corruption charges.Jill Seaman…

Federal judge to sentence 3 men in NC terror ring Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Federal-judge-to-sentence-3-men-in-NC-terror-ring-2507281.php#ixzz1jLodnBZD

Three men face the possibility of life in prison for joining a North Carolina terrorism ring that federal agents said…

U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson to become founding dean of UNT Dallas College of Law

Federal jurist to bring ?broad range of practical experience? to new downtown Dallas law school Chancellor Lee F. Jackson announced…

Leach lawyers ask to be removed from case

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - The lead attorneys for Mike Leach asked to be removed from his pending lawsuit against Texas…

Testimony continues in Anderson sex assault trial

The mother of a girl who accused Carlos Anderson of molesting her said during trial testimony Wednesday that she had…

DPS investigating complaint about police crime lab

UPDATE 5 P.M.: The complaint alleges lab administrators do not possess proper accreditation and that drug evidence was not properly…

Teen in Texas school shooting says he was bullied

HOUSTON (AP) — A Houston teenager who has been charged with shooting a classmate in the leg told a judge…

Officers weigh using drug dogs at doors

Local police say it's not practiced in Brazos County, but soon the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether drug-sniffing dogs…

Life in prison over Lubbock slaying, met online

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors say a West Texas man who killed a woman he had met online must serve…

Supreme Court recognizes religious exception to job laws

In what might be its most significant religious liberty decision in two decades, the Supreme Court on Wednesday for the…

Supreme Court stands behind eyewitness testimony

The Supreme Court declined Wednesday to extend constitutional safeguards against the use of some eyewitness testimony at criminal trials, despite…

NY man suing Facebook fined $5,000 by court

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A man who is suing for part ownership of Facebook has been fined $5,000 for failing to…

UK spies won't face criminal charges for torture

British spies escaped immediate criminal charges over torture complicity Thursday, but the country's top prosecutor ordered a new investigation into…

Against business? GOP split on Romney's practices

WASHINGTON (AP) — What gives? Some of Mitt Romney's rivals are waging a fierce attack that you'd never think would…

Fed court orders RI school to remove prayer mural

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered the immediate removal of a prayer mural displayed in the auditorium…

Judge Considers Declaring Holloway Dead

(CNN) -- An Alabama judge will consider a request Thursday to have Natalee Holloway, the teen who went missing in…

Police: Handcuffed man who took cruiser still gone

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A handcuffed drug suspect who stole and wrecked a police cruiser in northwest Indiana is still on…

Rich Mexican sorry for beating parking attendant

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A wealthy Mexican man apologized Wednesday for beating a parking attendant who refused to show him…

Judge OKs settlement between Dodgers, Fox Sports

Dodgers, Fox Sports settlement approved WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A bankruptcy judge in Delaware on Wednesday approved a settlement between…

Judge wants update on Everglades pollution fixes

MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge in Miami has summoned federal and state environmental officials to a hearing on whether…

Trial begins in $1 billion Texas lawsuit against drugmaker

A clash between Texas and Johnson & Johnson that could end up costing the drugmaker $1 billion opened Tuesday with…

Texas abortion law can be enforced, court rules

AUSTIN -- A Texas abortion law passed last year that requires doctors to show sonograms to patients can be enforced…

If the Courts Take More Time, So Will Texas Primaries

It takes at least two months to put a primary election together once political maps are finally drawn, and if…

No decision made at redistricting hearing

The battle over Galveston County’s redistricting plans is inching closer to a conclusion. At a hearing Tuesday in Galveston, a…

Retired judge injured in wreck

A Victoria judge en route to Rockport to fill in for another judge was injured in a two-vehicle wreck on…

Truancy prevention program successful in Williamson County

One teenager was going to drop out of school until he learned that he had to stay in classes to…

Lawyers go to court for appeal of John Allen Rubio conviction

Oral arguments will be heard today in the appeal of convicted child killer John Allen Rubio. The state, represented by…

Mistrial declared in Fort Worth deputy marshals' antler-theft case

FORT WORTH -- A judge has declared a mistrial in the case of two former Fort Worth deputy marshals accused…

North Texas beer revolution is brewing

John Reardon, founder of Deep Ellum Brewing Co., was once like any other beer drinker, ordering Bud or Miller or…

UT Law School Students Fan Out Along Border

MERCEDES, Jan. 10 - University of Texas School of Law student Alyssa Flores did not expect the positive reaction she…

T. John Ward may make an earlier-than-expected return to the federal courtroom in Marshall

Two years ago, when T. John Ward (pictured) made it known he was planning to retire from a U.S. district…

Supreme Court limits prisoners' lawsuits

WASHINGTON -- In a case arising out of California's San Joaquin Valley, the Supreme Court on Tuesday limited inmates' ability…

High court won't let man appeal murder conviction

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court won't let a man sentenced to prison for murder appeal his conviction despite his…

Judge: Perry likely to prevail on Va. ballot issue

RICHMOND, Va. — A judge says Texas Gov. Rick Perry and three other presidential candidates are likely to prevail on…

Court delays Abdo trial

By Philip Jankowski Killeen Daily Herald WACO — A federal judge delayed the criminal trial for Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo,…

NM judge halts oil and gas pit rule appeals

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A state district judge on Tuesday sided with New Mexico's oil and gas industry, putting on hold…

LA court seeks more info in Honda hybrid suit

LOS ANGELES — A Honda hybrid car owner who took the auto giant to small-claims court for failing to deliver…

Teenage sailor nears end of trip round the world

AMSTERDAM (AP) - Teenage Dutch sailor Laura Dekker is nearing the finish of her solo sailing trip around the world…

June primaries for Texas? High court discussions broach possibility

There was much discussion Monday in a Texas redistricting hearing at the U.S. Supreme Court about delaying the state's primary…

Anderson says Morton accusations are false

Published: 9:40 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 Former Williamson County District Attorney Ken Anderson violated no laws and hid no…

Judge scales back gag order on media coverage of capital murder trial

FORT WORTH -- Visiting Judge Elizabeth Berry on Monday scaled back a sweeping gag order she had imposed on news…

Texas prosecutors want jurors to award the state $1 billion in a lawsuit that accuses Johnson & Johnson of overstating the safety of an anti-psychotic drug and influencing its use

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas prosecutors want jurors to award the state $1 billion in a lawsuit that accuses Johnson &…

TEC to consider Upshur County GOP violation allegations

The Texas Ethics Commission accepted a complaint filed by Upshur County’s Republican Party chairman against the party’s secretary and is…

Texas state fire marshal resigns as arson inquiry begins

The Texas state fire marshal who defended the agency's work in the Cameron Todd Willingham arson investigation quietly and hurriedly…

Former County Judge Briones resigns from Austin job

Former County Judge Dolores Briones on Monday resigned from her job with an Austin health-advocacy group after her guilty plea…

Sky diving firm sued in student's death

The man who runs Skydive Spaceland acknowledges that seven people have died after jumping from his company's planes. But Steve…

Prison halts polygamist leader's calls for 90 days

HOUSTON — Texas corrections officials said Monday that imprisoned polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs will be without phone privileges for…

No doubt about it: Bama is the best after BCS rout

As required, Alabama's players whooped it up amid the confetti and fireworks, yet there was something muted about this championship…

Supreme Court hears Idaho couple's argument against EPA

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appeared sympathetic Monday to an Idaho couple's fight to build their dream home over the…

The Supreme Court is considering whether government regulators may still police the airwaves for curse words and other coarse content

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is considering whether government regulators may still police the airwaves for curse words and other…

Lawsuit seeks release of Guantanamo detainee video

NEW YORK (AP) -- A lawsuit filed Monday seeks to force the U.S. government to make public the videotapes of…

Judges orders deposition in Casey Anthony lawsuit

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge says the founder of a Texas group that searches for missing children can…

Ed Todd: The glory of Midland Judge John Hyde

By no wise can death vanquish the spirit, the soul, the legacy of Judge John Hyde. With the heart of…

Dean Rucker: A letter to my friend, Judge John Hyde

John: How do I say goodbye to a man who was like a big brother to me? Other than my…

Supreme Court to hear Texas redistricting case

When the U.S. Supreme Court convenes Monday to consider Texas' redistricting case, the primary question before it will be which…

Feds expand Limas probe

By EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO The Brownsville Herald The federal investigation into the racketeering activities of former 404th state District Judge Abel…

DNA in unsolved 1980 homicide does not point to suspect in Christine Morton case

Investigators have found no DNA link between the unsolved 1980 murder of a woman in Williamson County and Mark Alan…

Judge restricts reporting on capital murder trial in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH -- Visiting Judge Elizabeth Berry issued a sweeping gag order Friday in a capital murder trial that prohibits…

Former County Judge Dolores Briones guilty plea unsealed

Former County Judge Dolores Briones pleaded guilty on Dec. 9 to a charge of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement…

Former County Judge Dolores Briones guilty plea unsealed

Former County Judge Dolores Briones pleaded guilty on Dec. 9 to a charge of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement…

Harris County jails log fewer inmate deaths

The number of inmates who have died while in Harris County detention has plummeted during the last three years, a…

Suits vs. fitness centers give lawyers workout

In this season of fitness fads and green gym members, odds are some dreams of six-pack abs will end with…

Judge allows PEC to cancel retirement health insurance of former president while suit is pending

A district judge gave the go-ahead Friday for the Pedernales Electric Cooperative to terminate the health benefits of former board…

Cherry convicted of attempting to kill daughter

GREENVILLE — A Greenville woman was convicted Friday of attempting to kill her newborn daughter on Halloween in 2009. Lola…

Texas actress who sued Amazon over telling her age unmasks herself

Gene Johnson, Associated Press SEATTLE — An actress who filed an anonymous lawsuit against Amazon.com and its Internet Movie Database…

Doc gets 25 years in massive healthcare fraud

A physician who ran pain management clinics in San Antonio and El Paso was sentenced Friday to 25 years in…

Deported Texas teen reunites with her family

(CNN) - Jakadrien Turner's lies last year to authorities in Texas -- including adopting an alter ego and claiming she…

Red-light camera cash not reaching trauma rooms

DALLAS — At least $46 million in revenue from red-light camera tickets, intended to help fund trauma centers across Texas,…

Doctor who did autism research in Austin sues medical journal, writers

A British doctor who was stripped of his medical license in the U.K. in 2010 and who was accused in…

Supreme Court to hear case of Franky the drug dog

In a case closely watched by police nationwide, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide whether a police dog's…

Breyer wades into Supreme Court ethics debate

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer waded into a recent debate over ethics on the nation's highest court Saturday, defending the…

Obama plans change in immigration rule on waivers

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants to more quickly reunite Americans with their illegal immigrant spouses and children in a…

Iran sentences American man to death in CIA case

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Officials and media reports say that a military prosecutor in western Poland has shot himself after…

Polish army prosecutor shoots himself over work

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Officials and media reports say that a military prosecutor in western Poland has shot himself after…

No trial in sight as Giffords suspect is medicated

PHOENIX -- The mentally ill man charged in the Tucson shooting rampage that killed six people and wounded Rep. Gabrielle…

Court case on wetlands seen as having broader implications

WASHINGTON — An Idaho couple's dream home will be the center of a legal storm Monday at the Supreme Court.…

FBI changes definition of rape to include men as victims

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration on Friday expanded the FBI's more than 8-decade-old definition of rape to count men as…

A-G claims Texas Highway Patrol Assn. is a scam, wins asset freeze, restraining order

An omnipresent phone solicitator — the Texas Highway Patrol Association — has been shut down for now by Texas Attorney…

Texas juries choosing life without parole

Whatever the reason for the decline in the number of executions in Texas, it is welcome news.

According to statistics…

Cobos likely to remain in jail until Wednesday

Former El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos is likely to remain in jail until Wednesday, when he is scheduled…

Craig James leaves ESPN to run for US Senate

AUSTIN, Texas — College football analyst Craig James, who starred as a tailback at Southern Methodist University and with the…

Jana Duty shaking things up in Williamson County in her race to become D.A.

GEORGETOWN -- Williamson County residents are gearing up for a front row seat to one of the most heated races…

Judge approves probation, fine for state Rep. Joe Driver

State Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, on Monday received a sentence of five years of deferred adjudication for double-billing his campaign…

Charges against Morton formally dismissed; inquiry sought on prosecutor's actions

GEORGETOWN — Michael Morton completed one leg of his legal journey Monday when a judge formally dismissed his murder…

Constable Abercia, two staffers indicted in corruption probe

Constable Jack Abercia, a veteran lawman with more than 41 years of service in Harris County's Precinct 1, faces a…