DMN says Dallas (Democratic) DA Craig Watkins is Texan of the year.

[crispini]

This is pretty cool.

(snip) Here in the state that sanctions killing more often than any other, Craig Watkins is not just another cog in the machinery of death. The first-term Dallas County district attorney has quickly emerged as a transformational figure who has made a name not by securing convictions, but by clearing the way for them to be overturned.

Under his watch, the prison door has swung open again and again, as the wrongly convicted have walked out as free men. He is a prosecutor who has sought the death penalty because it is his professional responsibility but who is personally conflicted.

Mr. Watkins has trained a spotlight on the flaws in the system, and two years after becoming the state's first black district attorney, he is suddenly the new face of Texas jurisprudence.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/texanofyear/stories/DN-toy1_28edi.State.Edition1.204965b.html

[MrsBrady]

1. if he can help Dallas Co change,

then there is hope for Tarrant.

[CoolOnion]

2. How times have changed

From Dallas Morning News, Wednesday, September 27, 2006:

We Recommend: Shook has all evidence on his side for DA

Mr. Shook's extensive trial and management experience would be critical in an office often billed as "Dallas County's largest law firm." By comparison, Mr. Watkins – who operates a Dallas law firm, title company and bail-bond service – has nothing approaching Mr. Shook's management experience, and he hasn't prosecuted a case above municipal courts...

...Mr. Watkins is a well-intentioned candidate probably fit for another office. But he lacks the résumé for this one.

:rofl:

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[sonias]

4. I salute Craig Watkins

He's done the most good in the shortest amount of time. All those wrongly convicted people all got second chances because of his good work.

Bless him! Here's to a better justice system for Dallas. :toast:

:patriot:


Sonia

[PBS Poll-435]

5. Awesome

DA Watkins, Sherriff Valdez, and newly elected Dallas County Tax Assessor/Collector John Ames!

[derby378]

6. Tom Blackwell and I are responsible for Watkins being honored by the state party

I was on the Resolutions Committee for 16th Senatorial earlier this year. I brought up Craig Watkins and his work with the Innocence Project during our committee meeting while we were discussing some other resolution. Tom, as committee chair, asked if I'd write up a resolution calling on the party to honor Watkins.

My response: "I can do that?"

His response: yes.

So I did, and the voters at 16th Senatorial passed it unanimously.

Then Tom took it up to Austin and got it incorporated into our state party platform.

I'm just glad I got to do my little part.

[sonias]

7. Thank you Derby

To both you and Tom Blackwell!

:yourock:


sonia

[derby378]

8. You are welcome!

:hi:

[Schema Thing]

9. That's awesome

I'd seen their editorials suggesting different people, and I must admit I never really thought about Craig Watkins for that honor.

I'm glad someone did.


I like everything I've heard about this guy.