District Judge Ken Anderson, who as Williamson County District Attorney prosecuted Michael Morton in the 1980s, allegedly withholding exculpatory evidence from the defense, has finally, formally resigned, Brandi Grissom reported at the Texas Tribune. Apparently the move was prompted by his looming trial date next week regarding a "complaint from the State Bar of Texas that could end with Anderson's license to practice law being revoked over the Morton matter. That hearing remains scheduled regardless of Anderson's resignation," reported KXAN-TV.
Grits must admit, I thought Judge Anderson would ride this out til the bitter end. He seemed to care little about the disgrace he brought to the office and has never admitted the least culpability in Michael Morton's false conviction. Perhaps his resignation tells us the man isn't completely shameless, or perhaps he was just backed into a corner.
MORE: See Texas Monthly's Pam Colloff's take, "Why Michael Morton's prosecutor finally resigned." Her piece concluded:
Grits must admit, I thought Judge Anderson would ride this out til the bitter end. He seemed to care little about the disgrace he brought to the office and has never admitted the least culpability in Michael Morton's false conviction. Perhaps his resignation tells us the man isn't completely shameless, or perhaps he was just backed into a corner.
MORE: See Texas Monthly's Pam Colloff's take, "Why Michael Morton's prosecutor finally resigned." Her piece concluded:
No one’s talking right now about what may, or may not, be going on behind the scenes. But on Wednesday, WilcoOnline.com posted a story—which has since disappeared—citing “unconfirmed sources” who said that Anderson has worked out a deal in which he would surrender his law license and spend ten days in jail in exchange for the dismissal of both the criminal and civil cases against him. No word on whether these “unconfirmed sources” are reliable or not.
Whatever happens, it’s an ignoble ending for the man who the Texas bar once named “Prosecutor of the Year.” Anderson, once a well-respected member of the community, had recently set his sights on obtaining an appointment to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Now, even if he somehow avoids standing trial, it may not be the end of his troubles. This week, state Senator Rodney Ellis told Brandi Grissom at the Texas Tribune that he hoped local officials would review additional cases that Anderson had prosecuted in the past to see if there had been other “miscarriages of justice.”
Grits must admit, I thought Judge Anderson would ride this out til the bitter end. He seemed to care little about the disgrace he brought to the office and has never admitted the least culpability in Michael Morton's false conviction. Perhaps his resignation tells us the man isn't completely shameless, or perhaps he was just backed into a corner.
MORE: See Texas Monthly's Pam Colloff's take, "Why Michael Morton's prosecutor finally resigned." Her piece concluded:
No one’s talking right now about what may, or may not, be going on behind the scenes. But on Wednesday, WilcoOnline.com posted a story—which has since disappeared—citing “unconfirmed sources” who said that Anderson has worked out a deal in which he would surrender his law license and spend ten days in jail in exchange for the dismissal of both the criminal and civil cases against him. No word on whether these “unconfirmed sources” are reliable or not.
Whatever happens, it’s an ignoble ending for the man who the Texas bar once named “Prosecutor of the Year.” Anderson, once a well-respected member of the community, had recently set his sights on obtaining an appointment to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Now, even if he somehow avoids standing trial, it may not be the end of his troubles. This week, state Senator Rodney Ellis told Brandi Grissom at the Texas Tribune that he hoped local officials would review additional cases that Anderson had prosecuted in the past to see if there had been other “miscarriages of justice.”
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