Bill Aims to Increase Child Sex Assault Convictions

<!DOCTYPE html>     <html class="no-js">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.texastribune.org/2012/12/18/bill-would-allow-other-accusations-sex-assault-cas/","20130510034804","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1368157684"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>Bill Aims to Increase Child Sex Assault Convictions | The Texas Tribune</title> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/x-icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/common/images/favicon.ico"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="description" content="State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, a former prosecutor and judge, has filed a bill that would allow prosecutors to include accusations by other victims in child sexual assault cases. Defense attorneys worry it would lead to wrongful convictions."/> <meta name="keywords" content=""/> <meta property="og:title" content="Bill Aims to Increase Child Sex Assault Convictions, by Maurice Chammah"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:description" content="State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, a former prosecutor and judge, has filed a bill that would allow prosecutors to include accusations by other victims in child sexual assault cases. 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A Hardin County judge recently ruled that the high school's cheerleaders can continue to display signs with religious messages at football games.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/tx-judge-cheerleaders-can-keep-bible-verses-banner/">Judge: Cheerleaders Can Keep Bible Verses On Banners</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/bill-pending-school-choice-supporters-rally/">With Bill Pending, School Choice Supporters Rally</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/conflicts-emerge-south-texas-university-bill-moves/">Conflicts Emerge as South Texas University Bill Moves</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/agenda-texas-whats-left-do/">Agenda Texas: What's Left to Do?</a> </li> <li> <a 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href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/higher-ed/explore/">Higher Education Explorer</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Video</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/video/39984/">A Conversation With Dan Patrick</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/12/04/tribunefest-a-conversation-with-kel-seliger/">A Conversation With Kel Seliger</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-energy-and-environment" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/energy-and-environment/">ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_energy-and-environment_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-the-rainy-day-fund/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-the-rainy-day-fund/">TribLive: Tea Party Freshmen on the Rainy Day Fund</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/with-disposal-wells-in-high-demand-one-/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-004RCC_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Texas Railroad Commission lead engineering technician for districts 1 and 2, Michael Polasek, inspects a salt water disposal injection well at a Heckman Water Resources commercial disposal facility on the LAMZA lease near Highway 80, January 22, 2012." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-004RCC_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Texas Railroad Commission lead engineering technician for districts 1 and 2, Michael Polasek, inspects a salt water disposal injection well at a Heckman Water Resources commercial disposal facility on the LAMZA lease near Highway 80, January 22, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Jennifer Whitney</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Texas Railroad Commission lead engineering technician for districts 1 and 2, Michael Polasek, inspects a salt water disposal injection well at a Heckman Water Resources commercial disposal facility on the LAMZA lease near Highway 80, January 22, 2012.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/with-disposal-wells-in-high-demand-one-/">With Disposal Wells in High Demand, One County Pushes Back</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/agenda-texas-whats-left-do/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/04/0404House339overall_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="The crowded House floor during debate on SB 1 April 4, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/04/0404House339overall_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="The crowded House floor during debate on SB 1 April 4, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">The crowded House floor during debate on SB 1 April 4, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/agenda-texas-whats-left-do/">Agenda Texas: What's Left to Do?</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/bill-would-end-tceq-compliance-history-program/">Bill Would End TCEQ Compliance History Program</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/texas-groundwater-dropped-sharply-amid-droughtstud/">Texas Groundwater Levels Suffer Sharp Drop, Study Finds</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/06/legislator-seeks-protect-west-texas-longhorn-herd/">Sale of Longhorns Sparks Debate on Breed's Future</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/04/rainy-day-money-explosion-hearing-session-end/">Newsreel: Rainy Day Fund, West Explosion, Deadlines</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/02/triblive-staples-on-paying-for-the-water-plan/">TribLive: Staples on Paying for the Water Plan</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Tribpedia</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/water-supply/">Water Supply</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/wind-energy/">Wind Energy</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-reservoir-levels/">Texas Reservoir Levels</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/cheap-water-in-texas/">Comparing the Cost of Water</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Video</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/video/47857/">Smitherman on the Shale Boom</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/01/18/triblive-a-conversation-with-allan-ritter/">A Conversation with Allan Ritter</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-government" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/government/">GOVERNMENT</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_government_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/drone-surveillance-bill-soars-through-house/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Drone-1_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Micheal Cincienne of Absolute Aerospace and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, engineering student Adam Ersepke, and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza carry the University鈥檚 RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, back to the command center after a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Drone-1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Micheal Cincienne of Absolute Aerospace and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, engineering student Adam Ersepke, and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza carry the University鈥檚 RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, back to the command center after a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Eddie Seal</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Micheal Cincienne of Absolute Aerospace and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, engineering student Adam Ersepke, and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza carry the University鈥檚 RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, back to the command center after a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/drone-surveillance-bill-soars-through-house/">House Tentatively Backs Drone Surveillance Measure</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-2014-and-2016/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-2014-and-2016/">TribLive: Tea Party Freshmen on 2014 and 2016</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-the-rainy-day-fund/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty-2_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty-2_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-the-rainy-day-fund/">TribLive: Tea Party Freshmen on the Rainy Day Fund</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/lobbyist-transparency-bill-headed-perrys-desk/">Lobbyist Transparency Bill Headed to Perry's Desk</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/abbott-spending-limit-includes-rainy-day-fund/">Abbott: Spending Limit Includes Rainy Day Fund</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/lawmakers-close-compromise-disclosure-bill/">House Disclosure Bill Won't Get a Vote</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/press-conference-villarreal-urges-action-payday-le/">Villarreal Urges Action on Payday Lending</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/session/83R/bills/house/failed/">News App: Tracking the Status of House Bills</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Sub-sections</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/government/governors-office/">Governor's Office</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/government/legislature/">Legislature</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/government/state-agencies/">State Agencies</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/bidness/explore/">Lawmaker Explorer</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/session/83R/bills/">83rd Legislative Session Bills</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/">Texas Government Salaries</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Series</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/bidness-as-usual/">Bidness As Usual</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-health-and-human-services" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/health-and-human-services/">HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_health-and-human-services_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/hotze-file-suit-over-federal-health-reform/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/07/0507_Hotze078CMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Surrounded by several Texas legislators, Dr. Steve Hotze announces his lawsuit targeting the Affordable Care Act on May 7, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/07/0507_Hotze078CMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Surrounded by several Texas legislators, Dr. Steve Hotze announces his lawsuit targeting the Affordable Care Act on May 7, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Surrounded by several Texas legislators, Dr. Steve Hotze announces his lawsuit targeting the Affordable Care Act on May 7, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/hotze-file-suit-over-federal-health-reform/">Hotze to File Suit Over Federal Health Reform</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/06/big-tobacco-beats-small-tobacco-tax-vote/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/CigWars_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/CigWars_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo illustration by: Todd Wiseman</cite> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/06/big-tobacco-beats-small-tobacco-tax-vote/">Big Tobacco Beats Small Tobacco on Tax Vote</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/06/tribunefest-is-cost-containment-possible/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TxTrib-CostContain_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TxTrib-CostContain_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/06/tribunefest-is-cost-containment-possible/">TribuneFest: Is Cost Containment Possible?</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/track-83rd-abortion-bills/">Interactive: Tracking Texas' Abortion Legislation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/05/lawmakers-quietly-work-restore-womens-health-funds/">Divided Lege Finds Rare Harmony in Women's Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/03/polling-center-planned-parenthood-out-equation/">The Polling Center: Planned Parenthood and Women's Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/03/tribevent-the-state-of-womens-health/">TribuneFest: The State of Women's Health</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/02/public-private-hospitals-odds-over-budget-rider/">Public, Private Hospitals to Negotiate With Dewhurst</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Tribpedia</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/womens-health-program/">Women's Health Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/federal-health-reform-and-texas/">Federal Health Reform</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/medicaid/">Medicaid</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/national-comparison-medicaid-expansions/">Comparing State Medicaid Expansions</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/where-texas-womens-health-program-providers/">Women's Health Program Providers</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/01/10/interactive-weighing-medicaid-expansion/">Weighing Texas Medicaid Expansion</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Video</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/11/01/triblive-a-conversation-with-kyle-janek/">A Conversation With Kyle Janek</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/multimedia/video-series-fertile-ground/">Video Series: Fertile Ground</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-law-and-order" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/law-and-order/">LAW & ORDER</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_law-and-order_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/drone-surveillance-bill-soars-through-house/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Drone-1_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Micheal Cincienne of Absolute Aerospace and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, engineering student Adam Ersepke, and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza carry the University鈥檚 RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, back to the command center after a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/01/Drone-1_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Micheal Cincienne of Absolute Aerospace and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, engineering student Adam Ersepke, and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza carry the University鈥檚 RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, back to the command center after a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Eddie Seal</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Micheal Cincienne of Absolute Aerospace and Texas A&M Corpus Christi, engineering student Adam Ersepke, and lab coordinator Jack Edward Esparza carry the University鈥檚 RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle, otherwise known as a drone, back to the command center after a test flight over the Kennedy Ranch near Sarita, Texas on January 18, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/drone-surveillance-bill-soars-through-house/">House Tentatively Backs Drone Surveillance Measure</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/execution-prison-guard-murder-delayed-pending-dna-/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/18/TxTrib-Pruett-014_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Robert Pruett, 33, was sentenced to death in 2002 for the murder of correctional officer Daniel Nagle. Pruett says he was framed by corrupt guards and inmates while the prison employee union says chronic understaffing led to Nagle's murder." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/18/TxTrib-Pruett-014_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Robert Pruett, 33, was sentenced to death in 2002 for the murder of correctional officer Daniel Nagle. Pruett says he was framed by corrupt guards and inmates while the prison employee union says chronic understaffing led to Nagle's murder." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Tamir Kalifa </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Robert Pruett, 33, was sentenced to death in 2002 for the murder of correctional officer Daniel Nagle. Pruett says he was framed by corrupt guards and inmates while the prison employee union says chronic understaffing led to Nagle's murder.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/execution-prison-guard-murder-delayed-pending-dna-/">Execution for Prison Guard Murder Delayed for DNA Tests</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/staples-reform-bill-contains-ultimate-amnesty/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/02/TxTribLive-ToddStaples01_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Evan Smith talks with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples during a TribLive event on May 2, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/02/TxTribLive-ToddStaples01_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Evan Smith talks with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples during a TribLive event on May 2, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Tamir Kalifa </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Evan Smith talks with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples during a TribLive event on May 2, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/staples-reform-bill-contains-ultimate-amnesty/">Staples: Reform Bill Contains the "Ultimate Amnesty"</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/cell-phone-tracking-bill-hit-house-floor/">Time Running Out for House Cellphone Tracking Bill</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/bills-adressing-undocumented-immigrants-limbo/">Bills Addressing Undocumented Immigrants in Limbo</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/lehmberg-could-be-released-jail-thursday/">Travis County DA Could Be Released From Jail Thursday</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/changes-store-combined-us-mexico-efforts/">Analysts Weigh Impact of Mexico's Open Access Decision</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/07/bill-transfer-power-public-integrity-unit-fails/">King Pulls Measure on Public Integrity Unit Oversight</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Tribpedia</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/death-penalty/">Death Penalty</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-supreme-court/">Texas Supreme Court</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/texas-prisons/">Texas Prison Inmates</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/perry-executions/">Executions on Perry's Watch</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Video</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/10/05/video-michael-morton-marks-his-release-anniversary/">Morton Marks Anniversary of Release</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/07/10/seeking-solutions-to-prosecutorial-error/">Errors in Judgment</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-people" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/people/">PEOPLE</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_people_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/03/nra-convention-cruz-and-perry-hit-out-gun-control-/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/03/NRA-Cruz_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="U.S. Senator Ted Crus of Texas speaks during the NRA's national convention in Houston, Friday May 3, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/03/NRA-Cruz_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="U.S. Senator Ted Crus of Texas speaks during the NRA's national convention in Houston, Friday May 3, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">U.S. Senator Ted Crus of Texas speaks during the NRA's national convention in Houston, Friday May 3, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/03/nra-convention-cruz-and-perry-hit-out-gun-control-/">At NRA Meeting, Cruz and Perry Blast Gun Control Effort</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/02/kay-bailey-hutchison-daily-show/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/02/Screen_Shot_2013-05-02_at_5.41.35_AM_png_150x1000_q100.png" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/02/Screen_Shot_2013-05-02_at_5.41.35_AM_png_800x1000_q100.png" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/02/kay-bailey-hutchison-daily-show/">KBH: Americans Support Background Checks</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/27/travis-county-d-hope-complete-my-term/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/19/rosemary_lehmberg-press-photo_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/04/19/rosemary_lehmberg-press-photo_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/27/travis-county-d-hope-complete-my-term/">Travis County DA: "Hope to Complete My Term"</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/27/west-explosion-state-lottery-rainy-day-fund/">Newsreel: West Explosion, Texas Lottery, Rainy Day Fund</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/19/triblive-a-conversation-with-tony-garza/">TribLive: A Conversation With Tony Garza</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/04/05/triblive-a-conversation-with-the-castro-brothers/">TribLive: A Conversation With the Castro Brothers</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/03/26/ron-reynolds-booked-barratry-charges/">Reynolds Booked Into Montgomery County Jail</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/03/25/arrest-warrant-issued-rep-reynolds-barratry/">Reynolds Faces More Barratry Allegations</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/government-employee-salaries/">State Employee Salaries</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/">Elected Officials Directory</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Video</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/03/14/video-texas-senator-set-43-hour-filibuster-record/">Texas Senator Set Filibuster Record in 1977</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/07/michael-morton-the-tt-interview/">Michael Morton: The TT Interview</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Interviews</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/01/11/tt-interview-david-simpson/">David Simpson: The TT Interview</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/01/15/george-p-bush-tt-interview/">George P. Bush: The TT Interview</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-politics" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/">POLITICS</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_politics_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-2014-and-2016/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TeaParty_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/triblive-tea-party-freshmen-on-2014-and-2016/">TribLive: Tea Party Freshmen on 2014 and 2016</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/house-approves-facelift-political-ad-disclosures/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasCapitol_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TexasCapitol_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera</cite> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/house-approves-facelift-political-ad-disclosures/">House Backs Updating Rules on Political Ad Disclosures</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/agenda-texas-texas-miracle-update/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/ASOS061handshakeCMS_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Gov. Rick Perry, left, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at Perry's State of the State address on Jan. 29, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/ASOS061handshakeCMS_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Gov. Rick Perry, left, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at Perry's State of the State address on Jan. 29, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>credit: Bob Daemmrich </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Gov. Rick Perry, left, and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst at Perry's State of the State address on Jan. 29, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/agenda-texas-texas-miracle-update/">Agenda Texas: Revisiting the Texas Miracle</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/lawmakers-close-compromise-disclosure-bill/">House Disclosure Bill Won't Get a Vote</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/cruz-files-border-security-anti-amnesty-amendments/">Cruz Files Amendments to Immigration Reform Measure</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/changes-store-combined-us-mexico-efforts/">Analysts Weigh Impact of Mexico's Open Access Decision</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/06/tribunefest-is-cost-containment-possible/">TribuneFest: Is Cost Containment Possible?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/03/agenda-texas-tea-party-power/">Agenda Texas: Tea Party Power</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Sub-sections</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/special-interests/">Special Interests</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/lobbying/">Lobbying</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/politics/elections/">Elections</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/bidness/explore/">Texas Tribune Lawmaker Explorer</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/election-2012/">2012 Election Brackets</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/campaign-finance/">Campaign Finance Database</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Series</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/bidness-as-usual/">Bidness As Usual</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  </div> </div> <div id="tab-race-and-immigration" class="tab_content"> <div class="grid">  <header> <h1><a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/race-and-immigration/">RACE & IMMIGRATION</a></h1> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="320x50" data-adunit="SectionNav_race-and-immigration_320x50"> </div> </header> <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines with_thumbs"> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/staples-reform-bill-contains-ultimate-amnesty/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/02/TxTribLive-ToddStaples01_JPG_150x1000_q100.JPG" alt="Evan Smith talks with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples during a TribLive event on May 2, 2013." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/02/TxTribLive-ToddStaples01_JPG_800x1000_q100.JPG" title="Evan Smith talks with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples during a TribLive event on May 2, 2013." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Tamir Kalifa </cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Evan Smith talks with Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples during a TribLive event on May 2, 2013.</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/staples-reform-bill-contains-ultimate-amnesty/">Staples: Reform Bill Contains the "Ultimate Amnesty"</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/bills-adressing-undocumented-immigrants-limbo/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/07/BorderPatrolCar_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/07/BorderPatrolCar_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Josh Denmark</cite> </div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/09/bills-adressing-undocumented-immigrants-limbo/">Bills Addressing Undocumented Immigrants in Limbo</a> </li> <li> <div class="mega-thumb"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/cruz-files-border-security-anti-amnesty-amendments/"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/08/Cruz-Crop_jpg_150x1000_q100.jpg" alt="U.S. Senator Ted Crus of Texas in Houston, Friday May 3, 2013" width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/05/08/Cruz-Crop_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="U.S. Senator Ted Crus of Texas in Houston, Friday May 3, 2013" class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Michael Stravato</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">U.S. Senator Ted Crus of Texas in Houston, Friday May 3, 2013</div> </div> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/cruz-files-border-security-anti-amnesty-amendments/">Cruz Files Amendments to Immigration Reform Measure</a> </li> </ul> </div>  <div class="cell w-4 col"> <ul class="headlines"> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/polling-center-texas-immigration-reform/">The Polling Center: Texas' Date With Immigration Reform</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/08/changes-store-combined-us-mexico-efforts/">Analysts Weigh Impact of Mexico's Open Access Decision</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/02/bill-adds-protection-immigrant-victims-witnesses/">Bill Adds Protection for Immigrant Victims, Witnesses</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/02/triblive-staples-on-immigration-reform/">TribLive: Staples on Immigration Reform</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2013/05/01/immigration-resolution-now-criticizes-amnesty/">Immigration Resolution Now Criticizes "Amnesty"</a> </li> </ul> </div>   <div class="cell w-4 col"> <div class="featured"> <h3>Tribpedia</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/texas-mexico-border/">Texas-Mexico Border</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/tribpedia/sanctuary-cities/">Sanctuary Cities</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Data</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/https://www.texastribune.org/library/data/interactive-charting-mexico-murders/">Charting Mexico's Drug Murders</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/library/data/census-2010/">Texas' Census Population Maps</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="featured"> <h3>Featured Video</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/multimedia/video/46996/">Immigration After the Election</a></li> <li><a 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Drew Darby discusses the upcoming 83rd Texas legislative session at The Texas Tribune Festival 2012." width="150"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Darby002_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Rep. Drew Darby discusses the upcoming 83rd Texas legislative session at The Texas Tribune Festival 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Spencer Selvidge</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Rep. 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Convictions</h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by Maurice Chammah <li><time datetime="2012-12-18T06:00:00"> December 18, 2012 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/12/18/bill-would-allow-other-accusations-sex-assault-cas/comments/" title="">7 Comments</a></li></ul> </header> <aside> <ul class="social_links"> <li class="comment"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/12/18/bill-would-allow-other-accusations-sex-assault-cas/comments/" title=""> <i class="icon-comments-alt"></i> <span>Comment</span> </a> </li> <li class="republish"> <a href="/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/content/republish/47949/"> <i class="icon-share"></i> <span>Republish</span> </a> </li> <li class="email"> <a onclick="return track_link(['Content', 'Email', 'bill\u002Dwould\u002Dallow\u002Dother\u002Daccusations\u002Dchild\u002Dsex\u002Dassault\u002Dcases'])(this);" 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'bill\u002Dwould\u002Dallow\u002Dother\u002Daccusations\u002Dchild\u002Dsex\u002Dassault\u002Dcases'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://twitter.com/share?text=Bill Aims to Increase Child Sex Assault Convictions&url=http://trib.it/UDHrwl&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>Tweet</span> </a> </li> <li class="facebook"> <a onclick="return track_link(['Share', 'Facebook', 'bill\u002Dwould\u002Dallow\u002Dother\u002Daccusations\u002Dchild\u002Dsex\u002Dassault\u002Dcases'])(this);" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/2012/12/18/bill-would-allow-other-accusations-sex-assault-cas/"> <i class="icon-facebook"></i> <span>Recommend</span> </a> </li> </ul> </aside> <div class="content"> <div class="media article_detail unprose"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TTF12-83LegislativeSessionPreview002_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Joan Huffman joins moderator James Henson in a discussion of law and order issues in the upcoming 83rd legislative session during the Texas Tribune Festival, 2012." class="lightbox"> <img src="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TTF12-83LegislativeSessionPreview002_jpg_312x1000_q100.jpg" alt="Sen. Joan Huffman joins moderator James Henson in a discussion of law and order issues in the upcoming 83rd legislative session during the Texas Tribune Festival, 2012." width="312"> </a> <div class="photo_links"> <a href="//web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/images/TTF12-83LegislativeSessionPreview002_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg" title="Sen. Joan Huffman joins moderator James Henson in a discussion of law and order issues in the upcoming 83rd legislative session during the Texas Tribune Festival, 2012." class="lightbox enlarge">Enlarge</a> <cite>photo by: Bob Daemmrich</cite> </div> <div class="photo_caption">Sen. Joan Huffman joins moderator James Henson in a discussion of law and order issues in the upcoming 83rd legislative session during the Texas Tribune Festival, 2012.</div> </div> <p>Prosecutors have long argued that they face major hurdles when trying defendants accused of sexually assaulting a child. The problem, they say, is that often the only proof that a crime happened is the testimony of children, who may have trouble keeping their story straight.</p> <p>“There is an awareness that as a child, they are more vulnerable, less able to explain what happened to them and to give consistent stories, even if it really happened,” said state Sen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/joan-huffman/">Joan Huffman</a>, R-Houston, a former prosecutor and judge. </p> <p>Last week, Huffman filed <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=83R&Bill=SB12">Senate Bill 12</a>, which would allow evidence of prior offenses, including accusations by other children against the same defendant, to be admitted into evidence. She said <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_413">federal laws</a> already allow that kind of testimony, and that Texas would join many other states with similar provisions. But critics of the proposal argue that in Texas it is already too easy for prosecutors to win child sex assault cases, and they worry it would lead to more wrongful convictions. </p> <p>Huffman's bill comes amid a broader push by lawmakers to focus on child sexual assault during the coming legislative session. Last week, Attorney General <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/">Greg Abbott</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dBESV469C0">unveiled</a> a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dd5Y5pJ3C0">public service announcement</a> featuring Texas college football coaches Mack Brown of the University of Texas at Austin, Kevin Sumlin of Texas A&M University and Tony Levine of the University of Houston that urged adults to learn the signs of child sexual assault. "Child sexual abuse is a silent epidemic," Abbott said at a press conference. "Many people assume kids will speak up if they've been abused."</p> <p>Huffman said her proposal would help turn reports of assault into convictions, because it would allow juries to see that a defendant may have assaulted other children.</p><div class="ad_container sidebar_block"><div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="468x60" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory_468x60"> </div> </div></div> <p>Prosecutor Alana Minton, chief of the crimes against children unit at the Tarrant County district attorney’s office, said allowing evidence of other accusations would be "very useful in the right circumstances." In most cases, she said, there is no physical evidence, because a long time can pass between a sexual assault and the child’s report of the abuse. “I've tried very few cases where there is an immediate outcry,” she said.</p> <p>Huffman said that the bill would protect defendants by requiring judges to first hold hearings without the jury present to learn about additional allegations. The judge would then decide whether to allow the testimony.</p> <p>But some criminal defense lawyers are furious about the proposal. They said it is already too easy for innocent people to get convicted in Texas. “I think legislators should be a little more concerned, rather than trying to lock up more people,” said Mary Sue Molnar, director of the advocacy group <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://texasvoices.org/">Texas Voices for Reason and Justice</a>, adding that the bill would result in more wrongful convictions. </p> <p>Molnar also said she worried that indigent defendants would be unable to afford experts to dispute the additional allegations. “How can someone who is indigent defend himself against that sort of thing?” she said.</p> <p>Jeff Blackburn, chief counsel of the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-dept-criminal-justice/innocence-project-of-texas/">Innocence Project of Texas</a>, called the proposal silly.</p> <p>"It is already very easy to convict people of child sexual assault," he said. “It should be getting harder.”</p> <p>Blackburn said Huffman’s bill was misleading because “on the surface” it may seem like it would allow repeat offenders to get caught, but in reality prior convictions are already allowed into evidence.</p> <p>In 2007 — the same year lawmakers passed <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/texas-dept-criminal-justice/jessicas-laws/about/">Jessica’s Law</a> to increase sentences for child sex assault convictions — Rep. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/aaron-pena/">Aaron Peña</a> of Edinburg proposed a similar bill, but that measure failed. A report by the House Research Organization said, “The bill would allow admission of evidence regarding a defendant’s character, which could distract the jury from the real issue of whether the defendant actually committed the crime in question.” </p> <p>Bills similar to Huffman's were also filed in 2005 and 2011. Each passed one chamber of the Legislature but not the other. The bill sparked <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/session/82R/transcripts/2011/4/13/senate/">heated debate</a> on the Senate floor in 2011. “I worry about overzealous prosecution, sloppy prosecution,” Sen. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/robert-duncan/">Robert Duncan</a>, R-Lubbock, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/session/82R/transcripts/2011/4/29/senate/">said</a> at the time.</p> <p>Republican Lt. Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130510034804/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/david-dewhurst/">David Dewhurst </a>said in a prepared statement that Huffman's bill would “strengthen Texas’ Jessica’s Law and help protect our children from these dangerous criminals and put them behind bars once and for all.”</p><div class="ad_container sidebar_block"><div class="sponsor_image_holder"> <div class="ad adunit tablet standard" data-dimensions="468x60" data-adunit="TexasTribune_Content_StoryPage_InsideStory2_468x60"> </div> </div></div> <p class="disclosure"> Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. 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