Former Commission Chair Says Perry Aides Put Pressure on Texas Arson Investigation

2 years ago

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Washington Reporter

The former chair of Texas's Forensic Science Commission, who was denied reappointment by Gov. Rick Perry last month, is now saying that Perry's aides tried to influence an probe into the execution of an innocent man for arson, according to the Chicago Tribune. Cameron Todd Willingham was executed with Perry's approval despite clear evidence that the investigation into his case had been flawed. A story in the Sept. 7 issue of The New Yorker outlined the overwhelming case for Willingham's innocence and renewed interest in the case while the Texas commission was reviewing the forensics.

Samuel Bassett, the former commissioner, said he was twice summoned to meetings with Perry's attorneys, who told him they were not happy with the direction of his investigation. "I was surprised that they were involving themselves in the commission's decision-making," Bassett told the Tribune, which also investigated the Willingham case. "I did feel some pressure from them, yes. There's no question about that." After the meetings in which Bassett said he felt pressured, a staffer from the general counsel's office began attending commission meetings.

In addition to a 2004 Tribune story, a previous report from the Texas commission gave withering criticisms of the arson investigation that sent Willingham to his death on Feb. 17, 2004. Willingham is believed to be first demonstrably innocent person to receive the death penalty in the United States.

Former Head of Texas Forensics Panel Felt Pressured by Perry Aides [Chicago Tribune]

Filed Under: Investigations, Crime, Governors

Tagged: arson, daily guidance, DailyGuidance, death penalty, DeathPenalty, rick perry, RickPerry, texas

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