Texas Forensic Science Commission Expands Willingham Panel

Today’s much-anticipated meeting of the Texas Forensic Science Commission finally turned to the case of Cameron Todd Willingham—although in limited scope.  A subcommittee has been put in place to investigate the Willingham case, and the commission decided today to expand that group. 

“I think every member of this commission is vitally interested in this particular investigation,” Evans said.

Bradley told the commission that if the subcommittee were enlarged to include the entire nine-member commission – or at least a quorum – the meetings would have to be public because of Texas’ open meeting requirements.

But three – or four – members may meet behind closed doors.

Kerrigan said she’d serve on the subcommittee if it had more than three members. The commission voted to include both her and Evans as part of a four-member subcommittee.

As Bradley steered the meeting toward other business, he said: “If one were to read public materials about the Forensic Science Commission, one might jump to the conclusion that this commission was formed for the purpose of investigating one case and discussing it endlessly. That would be inaccurate.”

Read the full post from the Austin American-Statesman here

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In fact, Willingham’s case was initially set to be heard by the commission in October.  But Gov. Rick Perry abruptly removed the commission’s chair and installed John Bradley, who in turn has continued to delay the investigation by forming subcommittees and spending months reviewing commission procedures.

The commission meeting will continue for several hours and is being live-blogged by several media outlets, including the Austin American-Statesman (linked above) and the

Dallas Morning News here

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Read more news and editorial coverage of today’s meeting.

Dallas Morning News

4/23/10

Texas Tribune

4/23/10

Dallas Morning News Editorial

4/22/10

Austin American-Statesman

4/21/10