A friend of the blog spoke to the prosecutor in the document tampering case against former parole commissioner Pam Freeman and informs Grits that, "Freeman turned down probation, so at this point, she wants her day in court. Trial will not be until late this year or early next year."
So there you have it. I wanted to update this recent post mentioning her scheduled day in court. More delay is the bottom line.
Grits cases delayed too long are often dismissed. The idea is to take the spotlight away. Speaking of delay are there any vocal critics of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (media etc). I have noticed that politically incorrect cases/petitions stay pending far too long after submission to the court (after briefs and oral arguments). Is there any activism done regarding this? Or better yet maybe Grits could take up this worthy cause. Remember "Justice Delayed is Justice Denied."
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting topic is the court record submitted to the Texas appeals courts. They are technically public info, but an outsider would need to ask for them. In federal court the records are displayed on the internet for review by the public and court watchers. At the State level here in Texas there is potential for record tampering or appeals courts dismissing cases without opinion because no one has seen the pleadings or the submitted record (evidence).
ReplyDeletePlea negotiations are not admissible against the defendant. The defendant can bring up the topic, but the prosecution cannot. See Rule 410(b)(4) Texas Rules of Evidence. The prosecutor's comment is also close to violating the Pre-Trial Publicity prohibition in Rule 8.07 Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct.
ReplyDeleteDiscussing them in a manner that gets back to the press was wrong and the prosecutor should be ashamed.
This is off-topic but when I tried to email to shenson@austin.rr.com it bounced back. This is out of Arkansas instead of Texas but I thought you might find it interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://arkansasnews.com/news/arkansas/report-incarcerating-mentally-ill-people-20-times-more-costly-treatment
The people have a right to know what is taking place. ...she was a public servant and for too long has abused her power and position. the lack of attention to this case it's a disgrace in the media should be ashamed that they are not concerned for the hundreds of thousands of families that are affected by poor policies and crappy attitudes.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree! She is just pushing for a dismissal, she needs the full punishment for her crimes that have affected thousands. While on the payroll of our dime. Please try to keep this in the limelight.
ReplyDeleteProsecutors should always play by the rules, except when they are prosecuting somebody I don't like.
ReplyDeleteA prosecutor informing someone of the basic status of a case violated no rules. Anons claiming otherwise are likely concealing their agenda as well as their identity.
ReplyDeleteThe email is now gritsforbreakfast@gmail.com. I lost the other when I ditched Time Warner Cable.
Discussing the basic status would have been something like, "it looks like the case is heading for trial." Revealing the state's offer and the defendant's rejection of that offer is more than basic status.
ReplyDeleteThere is a damned good reason that I don't want prosecutors discussing plea negotiations with the press and there is a damned good reason that the ACLU supports the Klan's right to assembly. The rules either matter or they don't. If we look the other way when the prosecutors break a rule, ANY RULE, then we are part of the problem.
California Über Alles.
7:16, name a TX prosecutor who's been disciplined for such a minimalist revelation to a non-reporter and I'll grant you have a point. OTOH, if this is some novel theory you're propounding just on your friend's case, you have less credibility, especially as an anon.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record , I don't think the prosecutor violated any rule and nobody who's willing to stand behind their opinion has claimed so.