Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> StandDown Texas Project

Criminal Law

: StandDown Texas Project

Fifth Circuit to Hear David Lee Powell Case

By standdown

Today's Austin American-Statesman reports, "Hearing this week could pave way for cop killer to get fourth trial."Nearly a week after his third death penalty trial began in 1999, lawyers for David Lee Powell got their hands on documents that had for years been tucked in the parole file of a woman also convicted for her role in the fatal shooting of Austin police officer Ralph Ablanedo. The papers ? letters to the parole board from prosecutors and police officers who argued against her release ? hinted that Sheila Meinert may have played a more significant role in the 1978 shooting during a traffic stop in South Austin. To lawyers representing Powell, an earlier look at the documents could have caused them to rebuild their entire case or at least tweak Powell's defense...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on June 02, 2008 (boomark / email).