2008 TDCAA Annual Conference is POSTPONED!

The 2008 TDCAA Annual Criminal and Civil Law Conference in Galveston has been postponed.  We are already working on revised dates and locations.

Steve Allen wins Chuck Dennis Investigator of the Year Award

Gheni Platenburg, Victoria Advocate

Originally published March 10, 2010 at 6:48 p.m.

Hard working. Not easily rattled. Superstar. That's how employees and co-workers describe Steve Allen, the 2010 winner of the Chuck Dennis Investigator of the Year Award.

"He doesn't just represent the District Attorney's office, he represents local law enforcement," said Victoria County District Attorney Steve Tyler. "Without his good work, the victim doesn't get vindicated, and the community is deprived of justice."

‘Serial Molester' Garners Four Life Sentences

Posted on Saturday, March 06, 2010
By DAYNA WORCHEL
Tyler Morning Telegraph Staff Writer

Judge Kerry Russell of the Smith County 7th District Court, on Friday, gave an Arp man four life sentences and one 20-year confinement to prison after he submitted an open plea of guilty to four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child.

Bobby Lee Blanton, 64, was immediately remanded to the custody of deputies after the sentencing.

Dad won't go to jail for death of toddler


Man whose son died in minivan last August accepts plea agreement.

Kesen Hu will make public service message.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

By Miguel Liscano
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

GEORGETOWN - The father of an 18-month-old boy who died last year after he was forgotten in the family's minivan pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge of endangering a child. In a deal with prosecutors, Kesen Hu will serve no jail time.

Defiant Gobert gets capital punishment


Murder trial ends with courtroom outburst as condemned killer lashes out at victim's sister with profanity-laced tirade

By Steven Kreytak
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Thursday, March 11, 2010

After a Travis County jury on Wednesday sentenced Milton Dwayne Gobert to death for the 2003 stabbing death of Mel Kernena Cotton, the victim's sister took the witness stand and called Cotton, a Velocity Credit Union teller and single mother, "an angel."

Man is handed 48-year sentence


Linda Stewart
For the Wichita Times Record News

VERNON (Special) - David Hamilton, 31, of Vernon, entered a guilty plea Monday in 46th District Court to a charge of intoxication manslaughter. He was sentenced to 48 years in prison by Judge Dan Mike Bird.

Hamilton was arrested May 30, 2009. He was originally charged with intoxication manslaughter. Authorities believed he was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and struck and killed Jordan Eli Ramirez, 24, also of Vernon.

Houston judge backs off ruling that death penalty unconstitutional


By BRIAN ROGERS
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

March 9, 2010

A Houston judge who ruled last week that the proceedings surrounding the Texas death penalty are unconstitutional rescinded his ruling this morning to schedule a hearing for lawyers on both sides to submit arguments on the issue.

State District Judge Kevin Fine said, in effect, he was holding his ruling in abeyance until April 12, when prosecutors and defense lawyers for capital murder John Green can submit briefs. A hearing was scheduled for April 27.

McGough Receives 99 Year Sentence

March 9, 2010, Microplex News