AltWeeklies Wire
Did Texas Execute An Innocent Man?new
DNA tests undermine key evidence in the 2000 death penalty case of Claude Jones.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
11-12-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Death Penalty, Claude Jones
The Case of Otty Sanchez Exposes Holes in Texas' Mental Health Care Systemnew
Andrea Sanchez was suffering from postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe form of postpartum depression. Sanchez had been enduring a mental-health crisis for at least a week, but when she reached out for help—like so many Texans with severe mental illness—she was left to fend for herself.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
01-21-2010 |
Crime & Justice
Did a False Confession and Faulty Arson Science Land Alredo Guardiola in Prison for 19 Years and Counting?new
A six-month Observer investigation of the case -- using new research into arson and false confessions -- shows that he is probably innocent.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
10-14-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Ed Graf May Be a Victim of Flawed Arson Sciencenew
Ed Graf was sentenced to life for burning his two young stepsons alive. Two decades later, science may exonerate him.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
06-03-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Curtis Severns Is Serving 27 Years for an Arson He Almost Certainly Didn't Commitnew
Over the past 15 years, many unscientific assumptions about how fire spreads have turned out to be wrong. Using newer methods, an arson expert has helped exonerate dozens of people wrongly convicted of arson. He believes Severns was railroaded.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
04-08-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Systemic Neglect at Texas' Troubled Insitutions for the Mentally Retardednew
Texas has the largest remaining set of mental institutions in the nation, housing the state's most vulnerable: some can't feed or dress themselves, and others can't even rise from a gurney or speak. And according to government records, the very people charged with caring for these patients are victimizing them.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
05-07-2008 |
Science
Getting Pluckednew
AltWeeklies Award - News Story -- In-Depth
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
04-21-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
A Death in McAllennew
AltWeeklies Award - Investigative Reporting
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
04-21-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
The Power of Drug Courtsnew
People who complete drug-court programs rarely tumble back into substance abuse. But as drug courts become more widespread, it appears that -- like the narcotics they were created to fight -- the courts can be abused.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
12-03-2007 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: crime & justice
Smoking for Jesus Ministry Takes Root in Texasnew
Exiled by hurricanes, the black congregation from New Orleans has flourished in Texas Hill Country, by clinging fiercely to their faith.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
09-24-2007 |
Religion
Pin the Blame on Accenturenew
In a misguided, poorly executed effort to let the private sector bring "efficiency" to Texas government, the state has squandered at least $100 million, and now officials blame the private consulting company that helped them set it up.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
04-10-2007 |
Policy Issues
Tags: public policy issues
The Environmental Magnet School That's an Environmental Catastrophenew
Opened in 2000, Cesar Chavez High School is one of Houston's newest and biggest high schools, a state-of-the-art building the community desperately needed for nearly 3,000 kids -- and it sits within a quarter-mile of three large petrochemical plants.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
03-26-2007 |
Environment
Tags: environment
Child's Play: Foster Care's Fiasconew
Some children's advocates say the latest round of bills to reform foster care in Texas may make the bad situation even worse.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
03-12-2007 |
Children & Families
Tags: children & families
Hurricane-Related Mental Health Issues Challenge Care Systemnew
Mental health advocates are wondering how Texas -- which has a horrendous record of caring for its mentally ill citizens -- can meet the needs of Texans experiencing post-traumatic stress after hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
The Texas Observer |
Dave Mann |
12-05-2005 |
Science
