North Texas
(2009-10-28)
A Texas newspaper and its owner is suing to compel Gov. Rick Perry to disclose a clemency report on Cameron Todd Willingham.
The Houston Chronicle and Hearst Newspapers LLC filed the lawsuit against Perry in state district court in Austin on Tuesday. The governor received the report before he denied a stay of execution for Willingham.
Texas put Willingham to death in 2004 for the 1991 deaths of his three children at the family's Corsicana home. Forensic scientists recently raised questions about arson evidence used against him.
The prosecutor in Willingham's case has said he still believes Willingham is guilty. However, he acknowledges it would have been hard to win a death sentence without the arson finding.
Cheney to campaign for Kay Bailey Hutchison
Former Vice-President Dick Cheney will throw his support behind U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's campaign for governor. The Hutchison campaign confirmed Wednesday that Cheney will endorse the Texas Republican's March primary challenge of Gov. Rick Perry at a fundraiser next month.
Campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Baker says details are still being worked out, but Cheney is scheduled to appear at a Nov. 17 fundraiser and campaign event in Houston.
The former vice president is popular with conservative activists and could help Hutchison bolster support among them.
Man draws life sentence for SMU student's overdose
A 48-year-old man has drawn a life sentence for supplying lethal drug doses to a Southern Methodist University student.
James McDaniel was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Dallas after he was convicted last spring of several drug-related charges. One was possession of a controlled substance resulting in death.
Prosecutors presented evidence that McDaniel targeted SMU students with his poker and cocaine operation, and that 21-year-old Meaghan Bosch was one of them. Trial testimony showed that Bosch was last seen alive but unconscious at McDaniel's home near the SMU campus on May 11, 2007. Three days later, her body was found in a portable toilet at a construction site in Hewitt, near Waco.
An autopsy showed that she died of overdoses of cocaine, methamphetamine and oxycodone, and McDaniel's DNA was found at the crime scene.
Strip club owner makes dog pound in Newt's name
Snubbed by Newt Gingrich's conservative group, the owner of a Dallas topless club has decided to create a shelter for pit bulls in his honor.
Dawn Rizos was set to receive an "Entrepreneur of the Year" award on Oct. 7 from the group American Solutions for Winning the Future, led by the former U.S. House speaker.
But the group reneged, saying it had mistaken her business for another. Rizos, who owns the topless club The Lodge, was refunded the $5,000 fee required to receive the award.
So she donated the money to Animal Guardians of America's sanctuary for rescued dogs in Celina, about 35 miles north of Dallas.
"Newt's Nook - A Home for Pit Bulls" is under construction. Rizos says they'll invite Gingrich to the formal dedication in early November.
© Copyright 2009, KERA
