Courts Ignore Secret Affair in TX Death Penalty Case

EqJustUnderLawIn the context of the Troy Davis case, I’ve written quite a bit about how the US Supreme Court, so far, as avoided taking a definitive position on whether it’s constitutional to execute someone who can establish his innocence.  Yesterday, the Supreme Court declined an opportunity to decide whether a sexual affair between a judge and prosecutor resulted in an unfair trial for the defendant. 

Both of these questions ought to be no-brainers.  No, you should never execute people who have established their innocence; and yes, a judge-prosecutor romance should lead to a new trial for the defendant.  But for Charles Dean Hood, whose case the high Court brushed off yesterday, no new trial will be forthcoming.  He will remain on death row in Texas, awaiting a re-sentencing hearing on an unrelated issue.

In response, former Texas Governor Mark White, and former FBI director William Sessions, both of whom now work for criminal justice reforms with the Constitution Project, admonished the Court for its “indifference to such paramount injustice” and said:

“The relationship between the judge and prosecutor in this case breached every standard of fairness that we rightfully expect from our country’s criminal justice system, casting grave doubt on the impartiality of the trial in this case and tarnishing the reputation of the judiciary and our criminal justice system as a whole.”

A criminal justice system is only effective when the public has faith in its fairness and accuracy.  The failure of the courts in this case to address a blatantly obvious injustice can only shake public confidence in our system’s ability to be fair and get things right.  This is bad for all of us.  Our courts need to step up to the plate and hear these fundamental questions, instead of continually passing them off until they disappear.

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32 thoughts on “Courts Ignore Secret Affair in TX Death Penalty Case

  1. Why the justices refuse to address the egregious problems in our implementation of the DP shakes the foundations of our justice system. If it is administered arbitrarily with bias and discrimination then it is cruel and unusual and lacks due process.

  2. Why the justices refuse to address the egregious problems in our implementation of the DP shakes the foundations of our justice system. If it is administered arbitrarily with bias and discrimination then it is cruel and unusual and lacks due process.

  3. Dear Amnesty Intl…

    Please stop portraying Charles Dean Hood as the victim. Indisputable evidence is evidence whether the Prosecutor and Judge had an affair or not.

    o DNA evidence that includes Hood's bloody fingerprints all over the crime scene
    o Hood later pawned victim's jewelry (after brutally murdering them)
    o Hood cashed stolen and forged checks from the victims (after brutally murdering them)
    o Hood stole and used the victims credit cards (after brutally murdering them)
    o Hood stole and used the victims truck…even driving it at the time of his arrest (after brutally murdering them)

    The affair between the prosecutor and judge had nothing to do with the overwhelming evidence and the conviction by the JURY.

    These games will delay the inevitable… Mr. Hood will be executed.

  4. Dear Brian,

    Everyone, guilty or innocent, deserves a fair trial. Mr. Hood did not receive one. If you read the deposition by the judge she was "smitten" and probably made judgements in favor of the prosecution. Even if the evidence is overwhelming the perception of impropriety is enough that Mr. Hood should get a new trial, after all "we the people" are going to kill him so I would prefer, since I am one of the people, to make sure that Mr. Hood receives a fair trial.

    The judge should have recused herself no if ands or buts. Our court system fails when this type of behavior is condonded and/or accepted. A jury can be swayed by judicial rulings and comments. Do you have enough faith in the jury system that you would be willing to go to trial, even for a misdeamonor traffic ticket, if you knew the judge and prosecutor had a "thing" going on?

    Yes you are probably right Mr. Hood will be executed and we will all have to live with the fact that judicial standards have been significantly lowered.

    Des

  5. Dear Brian,
    Charles Dean Hood IS the victim!!!
    How can a man commit murder if he didn’t fire a hand gun?

    So lets start to ask: what happened to the “Paraffin Test”? If you are not familiar with this test, let me explain. It is a scientifically accepted exam done by Law enforcement. It basically determines minute traces of gun powder residue on the human hand. It is standard police procedure when a firearm is involved with an unknown assailant at large. This test is performed to find out whether or not a person fired a gun. The test was performed on Mr. Hood who was initially questioned. Mr. Hood agreed to cooperate and the Indiana State along with members of the Texas authorities did the test when he was arrested. Prosecution never gave over the results of this test, because they were ‘negative’. If they would have been positive the prosecutors would have shown the jury, which would have made their case against Mr. Hood seem foolproof, but I wonder why the defense didn’t take further steps to bring this to the juries attention.

    Where is the gun!?

    And lets talk about this gun that was never found yet prosecutors swore up and down that Mr. Hood fired it. And the gun that was owned by the ex-boyfriend of Tracie that mysteriously came up missing when Investigator Mr. Sanders asked to have it.

    What about the exboyfriend!?

    This ex-boyfriend who repeatedly threatened to kill Mr. Williamson because he took his girl ( ie Tapes of these threats were handed over to the Plano Police Department). This individual was never questioned nor suspected as a positive suspect. When documents and tapes were submitted as evidence to assist Mr. Hood, the Judge and Prosecutor would not allow the jury to review, or hear this vital evidence. We’re talking about death threats by a man, exboyfriend who was filled with angerand displayed it. ( The reason why Mr. Hood was hired was to protect Mr. Williamson and Tracie) yet the jury wasn’t allowed to hear the tapes. It is because of the Judge and Prosecutors malice to win, to keep Mr. Hood from having a fair trial.

    May I remind you, election time was near and District Attorney Tom O’Connell was up for re-election and his lover made it clear she was going to assist in any fashion to see that he won. It doesn’t take a biochemist to figure out that there was a cover-up taking place. Even homicide detectives did a sloppy job when it came down to collecting evidence, fingerprints, blood etc., at the crime scene.

    Blood and bloody fingerprints from a third party…

    How do you have someone elses blood from a third party? Not Mr. Hood, nor the victims. In court documents 19 a 21 evidence sources of blood SX 78, 66, 70, 64, 67, and 76 was from a different person other than the two victims, nor Mr. Hood. It was vital for Mr. Hood to receive a DNA test that would allow to show his innocence. There were numerous amounts of fingerprints at the crime scene detectives would not seek to find out. Nor would prosecutors, or even by Mr. Hood’s attorneys which were requested to do so to prove that the ex-boyfriend and two other people were at the house upon Mr. Hood leaving to go buy flowers for his girlfriend at the time. The bedroom safe was broken into, fingerprints on it were not of Mr. Hoods, yet a third party. Investigators didn’t seek to find out who these fingerprints belonged to. We’re talking about a man (Charles Dean Hood) if convicted would be sentenced to death. It was just much more easier to just place the blame on Mr. Hood than to at least do their job. The prosecutors were convinced that Mr. Hood’s bloody fingerprints were in the house. Yes! It was clear Mr. Hood’s fingerprints would be common in the house, he lived there as a 24 hour bodyguard. But if blood is spattered it, it doesn’t make it a bloody fingerprint. Mr. Hood and a paralegal Mrs. Janey Heitmiller requested that a fingerprint analysist expert be hired to show/prove that the spattered bloode doesn’t make a bloody fingerprint in this case. Because an expert would express and show a print on a surface is not pressed with blood. But when this kind of testimony is given to the jury without countering, the jury believes the show the prosecutor was putting on.

    This case against Mr. Hood is riddled with holes (ie many witnesses committed purgery on the stand, people were witnesses to this in the hallway of the courthouse watching prosecutors coriograph what the state witnesses were supposed to say or even how to act. But lets get back to the crime scene.

    The 911 tape…

    A 911 tape was recorded, prosecutors said Mr. Hood’s voice was on it. Yes NO voice analysis was done to prove and Mr. Hood pleaded with his attorney to get a voice analysis test done to prove his voice was not on the tape. Paralegal Mrs. Hietmiller also expressed it was vital to have it done, because it would have PROVED Mr. Hood was not at the house when Mr. Williamson was murdured. Expert voice analysis testing would further show Mr. Hood didn’t commit this crime. His mother even pleaded with the attorney that it was not his voice on it. Both attorneys talked it over and sid they felt no need to have the test done quoting David K. Hayes one of Mr. Hood’s attorneys. A document filed to the Texas Bar Association (complaint) on David K. Hayes by Mr. Hood right after being convicted.

    Hair fragments…

    Tracie’s body was found nude, homicide detectives placed her hands into paper sacks and taped them to perserve any type of evidence. The coroner’s report stated hair fragments were found in the hands. (It was never brought up at trial) nor turned over to the defense team. Why? It would clearly have pointed to someone else prosecutors didn’t want the jury to get wind of. If it were Mr. Hood’s hair, they would definitely used it against him. I tell you a lot of evidence was not turned over or properly investigated nor examined. One of Mr. Hood’s attorneys, David K. Haynes was going over to the District Attorney’s office and giving up vital evidence so prosecutors would stay one step ahead of the other attorney George Parker. David K. Haynes was close to Judge Verta Sue Holland. It wasn’t hard to see the pattern. He was appointed to inform the Judge and prosecutor the information that would help Mr. Hood be derailed, excluded.

    Can a man be in two places at one time!?!

    First the coroner at the scene properly did a testto see how long/ or when Tracie was killed. He said and I quote him, “she was killed around between 8:00 am and 9:00 am.Mr Hood was across town at the time buying flowers with a credit card (would you be able to proof that!?) he was given by Mr. Williamson to use leisurely because Mr. Williamson was paying for any expenses. Again, how could Mr. Hood be at the house when Tracie was murdured when he in fact was across town at the time of her death? Also how could Mr. Hood be at Ace Cash Express in Lewisville, Texas cashing his check he previously went to cash his checks and be aqt the house when Mr. Williamson was murdered. A 911 tape recorded a mans voice in the background, 4 minutes later police were at the residence. No way can a man in Lewisville, Texas in a 4 minute period. A police officer going through lights at all intersections couldn’t make it. Yet they said Mr. Hood was at the house. A lady at the Cash Express noticed another man in the car with Mr. Hood when he pulled up. (Don’t they picture people when they go to the cash express place!?! Do you know this witness so you could prove that!?)

    What about a fair trial!?!

    From the start Mr. Hood was not given a fair chance, no opportunity to be given a fair trial. By law we are supposed to be given a fair chance the same opportunities as the prosecution has. I want to point something out to you concerning this case. The fabricating of evidence. Misconduct by District Attorney O’Connell, and the Judge Verla Sue Holland who took an oath to uphold the law. Ask yourself “how can these two parties function in a normal society – can twoof these capable of manufacturing lies of these magnitudes blend in with regular people. Prosecutors in this case know damn well they withheld evidence, they lied, do they care, no not at all. They are not responsible for their wrong doings. The innocent is. In this case Mr Hood…. Prosecutors and Judges receive immunity from being prosecuted if they so something wrong. There is so much corruption in the (Hood’s) case it scares me to know people don’t care. Did you know you don’t have to be convicted of a crime, or even legally charged, for prosecutors to exploit, supposition or mere innuendo, to be permitted to put the appearance of wrong doing befor a jury. This case was in question from the start, by the Judge and Prosecutors integrity compromised by an illict sexual affair that caused Mr. Hood to be convicted. You place this case in a courtroom with a partial judge, a lawyer who isn’t sold out or a judge’s puppet, Mr. Hood would be found not guilty by a jury. At a minimum, there is NO appearance of fairness in this case.

    I hope Mr. Hood gets a second chance in court with some good legal representation who will suppress this fabricated evidence, and see to it that Mr. Hood be given a fair chance to prove he is innocent.” , whatever you want!

  6. Dear Amnesty Intl…

    Please stop portraying Charles Dean Hood as the victim. Indisputable evidence is evidence whether the Prosecutor and Judge had an affair or not.

    o DNA evidence that includes Hood’s bloody fingerprints all over the crime scene
    o Hood later pawned victim’s jewelry (after brutally murdering them)
    o Hood cashed stolen and forged checks from the victims (after brutally murdering them)
    o Hood stole and used the victims credit cards (after brutally murdering them)
    o Hood stole and used the victims truck…even driving it at the time of his arrest (after brutally murdering them)

    The affair between the prosecutor and judge had nothing to do with the overwhelming evidence and the conviction by the JURY.

    These games will delay the inevitable… Mr. Hood will be executed.

  7. Dear Brian,

    Everyone, guilty or innocent, deserves a fair trial. Mr. Hood did not receive one. If you read the deposition by the judge she was “smitten” and probably made judgements in favor of the prosecution. Even if the evidence is overwhelming the perception of impropriety is enough that Mr. Hood should get a new trial, after all “we the people” are going to kill him so I would prefer, since I am one of the people, to make sure that Mr. Hood receives a fair trial.

    The judge should have recused herself no if ands or buts. Our court system fails when this type of behavior is condonded and/or accepted. A jury can be swayed by judicial rulings and comments. Do you have enough faith in the jury system that you would be willing to go to trial, even for a misdeamonor traffic ticket, if you knew the judge and prosecutor had a “thing” going on?

    Yes you are probably right Mr. Hood will be executed and we will all have to live with the fact that judicial standards have been significantly lowered.

    Des

  8. Dear Brian,
    Charles Dean Hood IS the victim!!!
    How can a man commit murder if he didn’t fire a hand gun?

    So lets start to ask: what happened to the “Paraffin Test”? If you are not familiar with this test, let me explain. It is a scientifically accepted exam done by Law enforcement. It basically determines minute traces of gun powder residue on the human hand. It is standard police procedure when a firearm is involved with an unknown assailant at large. This test is performed to find out whether or not a person fired a gun. The test was performed on Mr. Hood who was initially questioned. Mr. Hood agreed to cooperate and the Indiana State along with members of the Texas authorities did the test when he was arrested. Prosecution never gave over the results of this test, because they were ‘negative’. If they would have been positive the prosecutors would have shown the jury, which would have made their case against Mr. Hood seem foolproof, but I wonder why the defense didn’t take further steps to bring this to the juries attention.

    Where is the gun!?

    And lets talk about this gun that was never found yet prosecutors swore up and down that Mr. Hood fired it. And the gun that was owned by the ex-boyfriend of Tracie that mysteriously came up missing when Investigator Mr. Sanders asked to have it.

    What about the exboyfriend!?

    This ex-boyfriend who repeatedly threatened to kill Mr. Williamson because he took his girl ( ie Tapes of these threats were handed over to the Plano Police Department). This individual was never questioned nor suspected as a positive suspect. When documents and tapes were submitted as evidence to assist Mr. Hood, the Judge and Prosecutor would not allow the jury to review, or hear this vital evidence. We’re talking about death threats by a man, exboyfriend who was filled with angerand displayed it. ( The reason why Mr. Hood was hired was to protect Mr. Williamson and Tracie) yet the jury wasn’t allowed to hear the tapes. It is because of the Judge and Prosecutors malice to win, to keep Mr. Hood from having a fair trial.

    May I remind you, election time was near and District Attorney Tom O’Connell was up for re-election and his lover made it clear she was going to assist in any fashion to see that he won. It doesn’t take a biochemist to figure out that there was a cover-up taking place. Even homicide detectives did a sloppy job when it came down to collecting evidence, fingerprints, blood etc., at the crime scene.

    Blood and bloody fingerprints from a third party…

    How do you have someone elses blood from a third party? Not Mr. Hood, nor the victims. In court documents 19 a 21 evidence sources of blood SX 78, 66, 70, 64, 67, and 76 was from a different person other than the two victims, nor Mr. Hood. It was vital for Mr. Hood to receive a DNA test that would allow to show his innocence. There were numerous amounts of fingerprints at the crime scene detectives would not seek to find out. Nor would prosecutors, or even by Mr. Hood’s attorneys which were requested to do so to prove that the ex-boyfriend and two other people were at the house upon Mr. Hood leaving to go buy flowers for his girlfriend at the time. The bedroom safe was broken into, fingerprints on it were not of Mr. Hoods, yet a third party. Investigators didn’t seek to find out who these fingerprints belonged to. We’re talking about a man (Charles Dean Hood) if convicted would be sentenced to death. It was just much more easier to just place the blame on Mr. Hood than to at least do their job. The prosecutors were convinced that Mr. Hood’s bloody fingerprints were in the house. Yes! It was clear Mr. Hood’s fingerprints would be common in the house, he lived there as a 24 hour bodyguard. But if blood is spattered it, it doesn’t make it a bloody fingerprint. Mr. Hood and a paralegal Mrs. Janey Heitmiller requested that a fingerprint analysist expert be hired to show/prove that the spattered bloode doesn’t make a bloody fingerprint in this case. Because an expert would express and show a print on a surface is not pressed with blood. But when this kind of testimony is given to the jury without countering, the jury believes the show the prosecutor was putting on.

    This case against Mr. Hood is riddled with holes (ie many witnesses committed purgery on the stand, people were witnesses to this in the hallway of the courthouse watching prosecutors coriograph what the state witnesses were supposed to say or even how to act. But lets get back to the crime scene.

    The 911 tape…

    A 911 tape was recorded, prosecutors said Mr. Hood’s voice was on it. Yes NO voice analysis was done to prove and Mr. Hood pleaded with his attorney to get a voice analysis test done to prove his voice was not on the tape. Paralegal Mrs. Hietmiller also expressed it was vital to have it done, because it would have PROVED Mr. Hood was not at the house when Mr. Williamson was murdured. Expert voice analysis testing would further show Mr. Hood didn’t commit this crime. His mother even pleaded with the attorney that it was not his voice on it. Both attorneys talked it over and sid they felt no need to have the test done quoting David K. Hayes one of Mr. Hood’s attorneys. A document filed to the Texas Bar Association (complaint) on David K. Hayes by Mr. Hood right after being convicted.

    Hair fragments…

    Tracie’s body was found nude, homicide detectives placed her hands into paper sacks and taped them to perserve any type of evidence. The coroner’s report stated hair fragments were found in the hands. (It was never brought up at trial) nor turned over to the defense team. Why? It would clearly have pointed to someone else prosecutors didn’t want the jury to get wind of. If it were Mr. Hood’s hair, they would definitely used it against him. I tell you a lot of evidence was not turned over or properly investigated nor examined. One of Mr. Hood’s attorneys, David K. Haynes was going over to the District Attorney’s office and giving up vital evidence so prosecutors would stay one step ahead of the other attorney George Parker. David K. Haynes was close to Judge Verta Sue Holland. It wasn’t hard to see the pattern. He was appointed to inform the Judge and prosecutor the information that would help Mr. Hood be derailed, excluded.

    Can a man be in two places at one time!?!

    First the coroner at the scene properly did a testto see how long/ or when Tracie was killed. He said and I quote him, “she was killed around between 8:00 am and 9:00 am.Mr Hood was across town at the time buying flowers with a credit card (would you be able to proof that!?) he was given by Mr. Williamson to use leisurely because Mr. Williamson was paying for any expenses. Again, how could Mr. Hood be at the house when Tracie was murdured when he in fact was across town at the time of her death? Also how could Mr. Hood be at Ace Cash Express in Lewisville, Texas cashing his check he previously went to cash his checks and be aqt the house when Mr. Williamson was murdered. A 911 tape recorded a mans voice in the background, 4 minutes later police were at the residence. No way can a man in Lewisville, Texas in a 4 minute period. A police officer going through lights at all intersections couldn’t make it. Yet they said Mr. Hood was at the house. A lady at the Cash Express noticed another man in the car with Mr. Hood when he pulled up. (Don’t they picture people when they go to the cash express place!?! Do you know this witness so you could prove that!?)

    What about a fair trial!?!

    From the start Mr. Hood was not given a fair chance, no opportunity to be given a fair trial. By law we are supposed to be given a fair chance the same opportunities as the prosecution has. I want to point something out to you concerning this case. The fabricating of evidence. Misconduct by District Attorney O’Connell, and the Judge Verla Sue Holland who took an oath to uphold the law. Ask yourself “how can these two parties function in a normal society – can twoof these capable of manufacturing lies of these magnitudes blend in with regular people. Prosecutors in this case know damn well they withheld evidence, they lied, do they care, no not at all. They are not responsible for their wrong doings. The innocent is. In this case Mr Hood…. Prosecutors and Judges receive immunity from being prosecuted if they so something wrong. There is so much corruption in the (Hood’s) case it scares me to know people don’t care. Did you know you don’t have to be convicted of a crime, or even legally charged, for prosecutors to exploit, supposition or mere innuendo, to be permitted to put the appearance of wrong doing befor a jury. This case was in question from the start, by the Judge and Prosecutors integrity compromised by an illict sexual affair that caused Mr. Hood to be convicted. You place this case in a courtroom with a partial judge, a lawyer who isn’t sold out or a judge’s puppet, Mr. Hood would be found not guilty by a jury. At a minimum, there is NO appearance of fairness in this case.

    I hope Mr. Hood gets a second chance in court with some good legal representation who will suppress this fabricated evidence, and see to it that Mr. Hood be given a fair chance to prove he is innocent.” , whatever you want!

  9. Mr. Hood has been the recipient of every review and appeal afforded. The supreme court wisely chose not review the case. He is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The system worked.

    The Judge and Prosecutor have and will continue to answer to the misconduct (innapropriate relationship).

    The Prosecutor wasn't fooling around with members of the independent jury. The relationship had no bearing on the outcome of the trial. The overwhelming evidence was Mr. Hood's worst enemy.

  10. Mr. Hood has been the recipient of every review and appeal afforded. The supreme court wisely chose not review the case. He is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The system worked.

    The Judge and Prosecutor have and will continue to answer to the misconduct (innapropriate relationship).

    The Prosecutor wasn’t fooling around with members of the independent jury. The relationship had no bearing on the outcome of the trial. The overwhelming evidence was Mr. Hood’s worst enemy.

  11. Brian I recommend you reading the court files!!! Before you talk about "overwhelming" evidence!!! THANK YOU for doing that, before you talk about this case!!!

  12. Brian I recommend you reading the court files!!! Before you talk about “overwhelming” evidence!!! THANK YOU for doing that, before you talk about this case!!!

  13. I'm in agreement with Petra! Brian read the court files, please, before you comment on a subject you know nothing about! Thank you! This is a man's life not a trivia game! Read the facts, focus on the facts, concentrate on the data that is real. I am so embarrassed for our justice system. I agree with former Texas Governor Mark White, and former FBI director William Sessions “The relationship between the judge and prosecutor in this case breached every standard of fairness that we rightfully expect from our country’s criminal justice system, casting grave doubt on the impartiality of the trial in this case and tarnishing the reputation of the judiciary and our criminal justice system as a whole.” Brian who are you to decide if he will be executed or not? Who made you God? These "games" have been going on since the beginning of time. It's a game between good and evil and the good guys are going to win this time. Charles Dean Hood is one of the good guys! God is stronger than any judge or jury and justice will prevail. I believe in the good guys of the world, the good attorneys, the good citizens and the good judges. This is far from over! This is the judicial systems chance to make it right, to make it just, clear the slate of all wrong doings and restore the faith of the American people in a system which was designed to uphold fairness and accuracy. I believe the justice system is going to get it right this time. Amen to the 21 former judges and prosecutors (including former FBI Director William Sessions and former Texas prosecutor Sam Millsap) and the 30 legal ethicists who came forward and filed briefs with the Supreme Court in support of Hood's claim. These are the good guys supporting a "good guy" and more are on the way!

  14. I’m in agreement with Petra! Brian read the court files, please, before you comment on a subject you know nothing about! Thank you! This is a man’s life not a trivia game! Read the facts, focus on the facts, concentrate on the data that is real. I am so embarrassed for our justice system. I agree with former Texas Governor Mark White, and former FBI director William Sessions “The relationship between the judge and prosecutor in this case breached every standard of fairness that we rightfully expect from our country’s criminal justice system, casting grave doubt on the impartiality of the trial in this case and tarnishing the reputation of the judiciary and our criminal justice system as a whole.” Brian who are you to decide if he will be executed or not? Who made you God? These “games” have been going on since the beginning of time. It’s a game between good and evil and the good guys are going to win this time. Charles Dean Hood is one of the good guys! God is stronger than any judge or jury and justice will prevail. I believe in the good guys of the world, the good attorneys, the good citizens and the good judges. This is far from over! This is the judicial systems chance to make it right, to make it just, clear the slate of all wrong doings and restore the faith of the American people in a system which was designed to uphold fairness and accuracy. I believe the justice system is going to get it right this time. Amen to the 21 former judges and prosecutors (including former FBI Director William Sessions and former Texas prosecutor Sam Millsap) and the 30 legal ethicists who came forward and filed briefs with the Supreme Court in support of Hood’s claim. These are the good guys supporting a “good guy” and more are on the way!

  15. I'm in agreement with Petra! Brian read the court files, please, before you comment on a subject you know nothing about! Thank you! This is a man's life not a trivia game! Read the facts, focus on the facts, concentrate on the data that is real. I am so embarrassed for our justice system. I agree with former Texas Governor Mark White, and former FBI director William Sessions “The relationship between the judge and prosecutor in this case breached every standard of fairness that we rightfully expect from our country’s criminal justice system, casting grave doubt on the impartiality of the trial in this case and tarnishing the reputation of the judiciary and our criminal justice system as a whole.” Brian who are you to decide if he will be executed or not? Who made you God? These "games" have been going on since the beginning of time. It's a game between good and evil and the good guys are going to win this time. Charles Dean Hood is one of the good guys! God is stronger than any judge or jury and justice will prevail. I believe in the good guys of the world, the good attorneys, the good citizens and the good judges. This is far from over! This is the judicial systems chance to make it right, to make it just, clear the slate of all wrong doings and restore the faith of the American people in a system which was designed to uphold fairness and accuracy. I believe the justice system is going to get it right this time. Amen to the 21 former judges and prosecutors (including former FBI Director William Sessions and former Texas prosecutor Sam Millsap) and the 30 legal ethicists who came forward and filed briefs with the Supreme Court in support of Hood's claim. These are the good guys supporting a "good guy" and more are on the way!

  16. Petra !!

    i read you, every word.

    A marvellous piece — thoroughly organised & marshalled material, a true people's journalism not to be found or matched in today's corporate media.

    Your finest bit was your conclusion, that the US prosecutorial system itself is in the docks for rampant corruption, immorality, illegality & murderous brutality.

    You remind me of Paul Craig Roberts, the economist & former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury who, independently like you, reaches the same conclusion in his 2008 book, "The Tyranny of Good Intentions : How Prosecutors & Bureaucrats Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice" !!

    It's good to know they haven't been able to do the job on everybody, there are people who have kept their own minds & spirits working & thinking & going high above the dirty flood of falsehood & greed.

    Right on !!

  17. I’m in agreement with Petra! Brian read the court files, please, before you comment on a subject you know nothing about! Thank you! This is a man’s life not a trivia game! Read the facts, focus on the facts, concentrate on the data that is real. I am so embarrassed for our justice system. I agree with former Texas Governor Mark White, and former FBI director William Sessions “The relationship between the judge and prosecutor in this case breached every standard of fairness that we rightfully expect from our country’s criminal justice system, casting grave doubt on the impartiality of the trial in this case and tarnishing the reputation of the judiciary and our criminal justice system as a whole.” Brian who are you to decide if he will be executed or not? Who made you God? These “games” have been going on since the beginning of time. It’s a game between good and evil and the good guys are going to win this time. Charles Dean Hood is one of the good guys! God is stronger than any judge or jury and justice will prevail. I believe in the good guys of the world, the good attorneys, the good citizens and the good judges. This is far from over! This is the judicial systems chance to make it right, to make it just, clear the slate of all wrong doings and restore the faith of the American people in a system which was designed to uphold fairness and accuracy. I believe the justice system is going to get it right this time. Amen to the 21 former judges and prosecutors (including former FBI Director William Sessions and former Texas prosecutor Sam Millsap) and the 30 legal ethicists who came forward and filed briefs with the Supreme Court in support of Hood’s claim. These are the good guys supporting a “good guy” and more are on the way!

  18. Petra !!

    i read you, every word.

    A marvellous piece — thoroughly organised & marshalled material, a true people’s journalism not to be found or matched in today’s corporate media.

    Your finest bit was your conclusion, that the US prosecutorial system itself is in the docks for rampant corruption, immorality, illegality & murderous brutality.

    You remind me of Paul Craig Roberts, the economist & former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury who, independently like you, reaches the same conclusion in his 2008 book, “The Tyranny of Good Intentions : How Prosecutors & Bureaucrats Are Trampling the Constitution in the Name of Justice” !!

    It’s good to know they haven’t been able to do the job on everybody, there are people who have kept their own minds & spirits working & thinking & going high above the dirty flood of falsehood & greed.

    Right on !!

  19. I never knew about Charles Hood's case of innocence until now. Your words give us so much hope to abolish the death penalty. But since the courts denied him a new trial, he is now awaiting a new sentencing hearing. I just hope he gets life in prison, at least, so that people will have more time to find new evidence of his innocence and debunk the secret affair with the judge and the prosecutor.

  20. Charles Dean Hood doesnt deserve a life in prison – the only thing that he deserves is a fair trial to prove his innocence and to walk out of the courtroom as a FREE MAN!!! I just cant understand why they dont want to give him the chance – are they afraid that they have to admit that they were totally wrong by convicting this man to death!?

  21. I never knew about Charles Hood’s case of innocence until now. Your words give us so much hope to abolish the death penalty. But since the courts denied him a new trial, he is now awaiting a new sentencing hearing. I just hope he gets life in prison, at least, so that people will have more time to find new evidence of his innocence and debunk the secret affair with the judge and the prosecutor.

  22. I know, petra. I'm now convinced that Hood is innocent and must be a free man for the matter.

  23. Charles Dean Hood doesnt deserve a life in prison – the only thing that he deserves is a fair trial to prove his innocence and to walk out of the courtroom as a FREE MAN!!! I just cant understand why they dont want to give him the chance – are they afraid that they have to admit that they were totally wrong by convicting this man to death!?

  24. I know, petra. I’m now convinced that Hood is innocent and must be a free man for the matter.

  25. Perhaps Mr. Hood is "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" and, knowing a little something about Texas "justice" he will probably be executed. But the issue, as I understand it, is this: when you have a judge who could, by any reasonable standard, be guilty of favoritism because of her emotional tie to the prosecutor, then her judgement is skewed and she cannot possibly sit in judgement of Mr. Hood in as unbiased a manner as is required if she is to wear the robes of judgement and sit on that bench. THAT'S why there ought to be a new trial…because there's no way on god's green earth that the judge could be totally neutral under the circumstances. It's much less question of Mr. Hood's guilt or innocence and ALL about the fact that he could not have received a fair trial.

    A close friend of mine was executed on Texas' death row. I read every word of the trial transcript and was convinced he not only was not guilty, but…as all too often happens in Texas courts….couldn't even get a reasonable defense because he was poor, his attorney was totally incompetent, and he refused to allow his family to mortgage themselves to the hilt to pay for the kind of defense a more affluent man could have gotten.

    So, unfortunately, Mr. Hood will probably die without ever having received REAL justice. And with this current Supreme Court being for the most part a product of good ol' boy W's hand crafting, Mr. Hood doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell.

  26. Perhaps Mr. Hood is “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” and, knowing a little something about Texas “justice” he will probably be executed. But the issue, as I understand it, is this: when you have a judge who could, by any reasonable standard, be guilty of favoritism because of her emotional tie to the prosecutor, then her judgement is skewed and she cannot possibly sit in judgement of Mr. Hood in as unbiased a manner as is required if she is to wear the robes of judgement and sit on that bench. THAT’S why there ought to be a new trial…because there’s no way on god’s green earth that the judge could be totally neutral under the circumstances. It’s much less question of Mr. Hood’s guilt or innocence and ALL about the fact that he could not have received a fair trial.

    A close friend of mine was executed on Texas’ death row. I read every word of the trial transcript and was convinced he not only was not guilty, but…as all too often happens in Texas courts….couldn’t even get a reasonable defense because he was poor, his attorney was totally incompetent, and he refused to allow his family to mortgage themselves to the hilt to pay for the kind of defense a more affluent man could have gotten.

    So, unfortunately, Mr. Hood will probably die without ever having received REAL justice. And with this current Supreme Court being for the most part a product of good ol’ boy W’s hand crafting, Mr. Hood doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell.

  27. BooHoo another brutal murderer may suffer capital punishment.

    I've read up plenty and know about this case. Men and women a lot wiser then all you bleeding heart liberals have studied and ruled on the case. The relationship between the judge and prosecutor had no bearing (all higher courts – including the supreme court's decision NOT to review the case – agree).

    Stand up for victims for a change.

  28. BooHoo another brutal murderer may suffer capital punishment.

    I’ve read up plenty and know about this case. Men and women a lot wiser then all you bleeding heart liberals have studied and ruled on the case. The relationship between the judge and prosecutor had no bearing (all higher courts – including the supreme court’s decision NOT to review the case – agree).

    Stand up for victims for a change.

  29. So, Brian, am I to understand that if I successfully framed you for a brutal murder, & had sex with your Defense Lawyer, the Judge, the Prosecutor, & all 12 jurors in your trial, in order to cajole them into defending you in name only, convicting you, & sentencing you to death, respectively, that that would make you a brutal murderer, who deserves to be executed, & anyone who says otherwise is a bleeding heart liberal who doesn't care about victims?
    Because that's what it sounds like you're saying…

  30. So, Brian, am I to understand that if I successfully framed you for a brutal murder, & had sex with your Defense Lawyer, the Judge, the Prosecutor, & all 12 jurors in your trial, in order to cajole them into defending you in name only, convicting you, & sentencing you to death, respectively, that that would make you a brutal murderer, who deserves to be executed, & anyone who says otherwise is a bleeding heart liberal who doesn’t care about victims?
    Because that’s what it sounds like you’re saying…

  31. Wrong Justine.

    What I'm saying is Mr. Hood is guilty and wasn't framed at all. End of story.

  32. Wrong Justine.

    What I’m saying is Mr. Hood is guilty and wasn’t framed at all. End of story.

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