The Innocence Project of Texas

Yesterday, Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Barbara Hervey announced the formation of the Criminal Justice Integrity Unit, which will examine potential reforms to curb the problem of wrongful convictions. Associated Press writer Jim Vertuno reports:

The state’s highest criminal appeals court said Wednesday it will create a new integrity unit to examine and correct problems with the justice system in Texas, which leads the nation in both executions and wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence…

The group will look at improving eyewitness testimony, reforming standards for collecting and preserving evidence, eliminating improper interrogations, improving crime lab reliability, and raising the quality of court-appointed lawyers…

Some inmate advocates were not impressed by the new integrity unit.

Jeff Blackburn, the chief counsel for the Innocence Project of Texas, said the panel is tackling issues that have already been clearly identified as problems.

The courts must consider overhauling how they deal with appeals filed by inmates who claim innocence but may not have DNA evidence to support them, Blackburn said.

James Woodard, a Dallas man who spent 27 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit, said: “It sounds to me like (the court) is trying to do a little damage control.”

The integrity unit will include a state senator, district attorneys, defense attorneys, law enforcement, judges and a member of Gov. Rick Perry’s staff.

Woodard, who won his release earlier this year, said the integrity unit should include one of the exonerated inmates.

“They need someone who has been there, who has walked through the practical side of it,” Woodard said.

The group could meet for the first time next month, Hervey said. Some of the reforms may need an act of the Legislature.

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