Ex-prosecutor gets jail for wrongful conviction By PAUL J. WEBER, Associated Press | November 8, 2013 | Updated: November 8, 2013 3:56pm GEORGETOWN, Texas (AP) — A former Texas prosecutor who won a conviction that sent an innocent man to prison for nearly 25 years agreed Friday to serve 10 days in jail and complete 500 hours of community service. Ken Anderson also will be disbarred and fined $500 as part of a sweeping deal that was expected to end all criminal and civil cases against the embattled ex-district attorney, who presided for 30 years over Williamson County, an area north of Austin famous for being tough on crime. Anderson was present when the agreement was read, but said nothing. County officials will also go back and review all previous cases handled by Anderson. He faced up to 10 years in prison if convicted of tampering with evidence in the 1987 murder trial of Michael Morton, who wrongly spent nearly a quarter-century behind bars. Anderson was accused of concealing evidence that would have benefited Mortons defense. In a case like this, sometimes its hard to say what meets the ends of justice and what doesnt, Judge Kelly G. Moore said. There is no way that anything we can do here today can resolve the tragedy that occurred in these matters. Morton was released in 2011 after DNA evidence showed he didnt beat his wife to death. He watched Friday as the man who helped convict him now sat at the defense table, just as he once did. The judge addressed him directly: Id like to say to Mr. Morton, the world is a better place because of you. After the hearing adjourned, Morton smiled and was hugged by family members. He said the severity of the punishment or lack thereof was as much as the legal system was able to provide. He said his only goal was to get Anderson off the bench and make sure he never practiced law again. It was one of those necessary evils, or distasteful requirements that you have to do in life, Morton said, calling it a good day. Anderson has previously apologized to Morton for what he called failures in the system but has said he believes there was no misconduct. Anderson also entered a no contest plea to a charge of criminal contempt. He accepted the plea deal in the same Williamson County courthouse where he spent 11 years as a state judge. He was appointed to the post by Gov. Rick Perry after his stint as district attorney, but resigned in September. Since being freed from prison, Morton has become a visible embodiment of problems in the legal system in Texas, which leads the nation in prisoners set free by DNA testing — 117 in the last 25 years. Morton was a regular presence at the Texas Capitol this spring and helped push through the Michael Morton Act, which helps compel prosecutors to share files with defense attorneys that can help defendants cases. In an unusual move, the plea deal bundled a resolution to both criminal and civil cases against Anderson. The State Bar of Texas had accused him of professional conduct in the Morton case, while a special court of inquiry pursued the felony charges this year. During a weeklong Court of Inquiry earlier this year, special prosecutor Rusty Hardin, a Houston defense attorney, presented witness testimony and other evidence to show Anderson kept evidence from Mortons attorneys at his trial. The rarely used special court is held when officials or public servants are accused of wrongdoing. Among the evidence Mortons attorneys claim was kept from them were statements from Mortons then-3-year-old son, who witnessed the murder and said his father wasnt responsible, and interviews with neighbors who told authorities they saw a man park a green van close the Morton home and walk into a nearby wooded area before the slaying. In a videotaped deposition played during the Court of Inquiry, Anderson said he couldnt remember if he had evidence at the time of the trial that could have cleared Morton, but if he had had such material, he would have turned it over to the defense team.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Nov 2013 00:09:57 +0000
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