Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 049, Ed. 1 Monday, January 10, 2011 Page: 5 of 10
ten pages : ill.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Life
Sweetwater Reporter
Monday, January 10, 2011 ■ Page 5
Texas panel
re-exant nes arson
execution case
MICHAEL GRACZYK
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The execution of a Texas man
for the deaths of his three small children in a house fire
came under renewed scrutiny Friday as a state panel
heard from arson experts who reviewed the evidence
that sent Cameron Todd Willingham to the death cham-
ber seven years ago.
The Texas Forensic Science Commission invited the
fire experts to testify amid the Innocence Project's insis-
tence that Willingham was convicted with faulty evi-
dence and wrongly executed for setting a 1991 fire that
killed his three daughters — a 2-year-old and i-year-old
twins. The New York-based organization specializes in
w rongful conviction cases.
Prosecutors in Corsicana, about 60 miles south of
Dallas, have insisted Willingham's conviction and exe-
cution were proper, and the State Fire Marshal's Office
has stood behind the arson finding.
Two of the arson experts who testified were critical
of the initial investigation into the fire, while two other
defended it. The state fire marshal that was the lead
investigator in the Willingham case has since died.
"In order to conclude fire was arson, you have to con-
clusively eliminate accidental and other causes," said
John DeHaan, a California expert. "And that was not
done in this case."
No so, Ed Salazar, assistant director of the Texas Fire
Marshal's Office, told the commission.
"They followed the protocol'," he said. "They followed
the practices being used at the time."
Willingham was convicted in 1992 of capital murder,
and testimony from fire investigators was the primary
evidence against Willingham in his original trial. The
defense did not present a fire expert because the one
hired by Willingham's attorney also said the fire was
caused by arson.
Willingham always maintained his innocence, includ-
ing in his final statement from the death chamber gurney
— an obscenity-filled diatribe aimed at his ex-wife. She
has said he confessed his guilt to her when she met with
him days before his execution, but Innocence Project
lawyers say her story has changed over the years.
Death penalty opponents have aimed to have the
Willingham case become the first one in which a pris-
oner was formally declared wrongfully put to death.
Another one of the arson experts who testified Friday
was Craig Beyler of Baltimore, who is among several
experts who have challenged the conclusion that arson
caused the fire. The chairman of the International
Association of Fire Safety Science and one of the fore-
most experts in the field, Beyler wrote in a 2009 report
that investigators didn't f< low standards in place in
1991 and didn't have enough evidence to make an arson
finding.
He was scheduled to testify before the commission in
2009, but commission chairman John Bradley canceled
that meeting in an effort to close the case and have the
panel conclude investigators didn't commit professional
misconduct in the case. Other members of the com-
mission rebuffed Bradley's efforts, leading to Friday's
hearing.
Beyler insisted Friday the cause of the fire should have
been listed as undetermined.
"I haven't changed my opinion in the year and a half
since I wrote the report," he said.
Bradley said he wasn't quibbling with Beyler's opinion
but said he believed the investigators "did the best they
could given standards at the time."
"I think we'll differ on that/" Beyler responded.
DeHaan also said the fire should have been ruled as
undetermined, acknowledged investigative techniques
have changed in the past two decades and that no
consistent uniform standards for arson investigations
existed then.
He insisted, however, "You have no basis for conclud-
ing this was an arson."
"They should have evaluated the scene as it was found
and looked at each potential fuel package in room," he
said. "Based on the evaluation of what I saw, there was
no evaluation. It was just shoveled out."
Salazar disputed the assertion.
He said from his review of the case, the investigators
began looking at the culmination of evidence and "all
the various indicators they have found." There was no
specific written standard procedure but "there was, in
fact, a standard that was acceptable protocol, using pro-
cedures, understanding, training they received."
"And they followed it and wrote the report and came
to their conclusion," Salazar said.
Thomas Wood from the Houston Fire Department
also said he found no evidence of negligence.
"I think there were fire indicators there that are still
looked at as proof of possible incendiary fire/' he said.
The forensic commission's involvement became polit-
ically charged after Republican Gov. Rick Perry removed
three members in 2009, days before they were to review
reports casting doubt on Willingham's guilt. Bradley has
been an ally for Perry in trying to close the inquiry.
The Innocence Project has objected that two arson
investigators who testified on its behalf at an October
court of inquiry about the Willingham case, Gerald
Hurst and John Lentini, were "notably absent" among
investigators the commission invited to Friday's meet-
ing.
The October hearing was cut short by an appeals court
after prosecutors successfully challenged the objectivity
of the judge holding it because he'd received an award
from an organization that opposes the death penalty.
Additional discussion about the case was expected
when the panel holds its regular meeting later in the
month. Bradley said the board had no authority and
could only write a report of its findings.
Southeast announces perfect
attendance, honor roll
Southeast Elementary School announced its perfect
attendance and honor roll for the third six weeks.
Perfect Attendance
Kindergarten
D. Davis - Christyn Allen, Destiny Beckwith, Tayah
Gerst, Christopher Hutchinson, Sarai Mesta, Charles
Mitchell, Hannah Nixon, Alexis Sargent
A. Denton - Malena Cox, Christopher Dang, Kailynn
Guzman, Keshawn Jack, Trinity Kilgore, Halle
Martinez, Zane Pena, Rubencarter Underwood, Hector
Valdez, Reagan Wilkerson
M. Espinoza - Levi Bromley, Jose Carlos, Aida
Carothers, Amaris Garcia, Jadon Reddic, Bethanee
Rodriguez, Toreyna Saddler, Derrick Torres
A. May - Christian Ceballos, Karisma Cepeda,
Savannah Little, Mariela Longoria, Ezra Martinez,
Almarissa McCann, Abraham Rodriguez, Brayden
Yeazel
J. Nelson - Alexis Aguilar, Brennen Ceballos, Elena
Caspar, Bethany Gonzales, Mariah McDonald, Paige
Sutton, Marissa Garcia, Eduordo Resendiz
First Grade
B. Kidd - Josh Alexander, Faith Boyd, Madison
Castillo, Ian Flores, Ariseli Garcia, Jacob Guest, Justin
Hefner, Ryan Hernandez, Brydarius Spotwood
B. Winters - Tucker Allen, Courtney Castillo, Celeste
Gonzales, Analicia Granados, Adrian Hernandez,
Timothy Hernandez, Crystal Sisk, Logan Taylor, Daric
Valenzuela, Michael Weldy
C. Martin - Eathen Aguilar, LeighAnn Castellanos,
Jackson Dodd, Mateo Galvan, Isaac Gonzales, Grady
Kidd, Kaylei Moncada, Lorena Torres
A. Nixon - Karleigh Adames, Brendin Atkins, Ayezha
Little, Priscilla Mendez, Amia Perez, Cesar Resendiz
Winslett - Curtis Borden, Ramiro Lopez Jr., Aaron
Morrison, Sara Vera, Tristan Woodward
Second Grade
L. Dowdy - Jesica Aguilera, Paulina Costalez, Xandria
DeLaCruz, Jonathan Gallegos, My'Esha Green, Kolby
Hope, Calen Hughes, Matthew Renteria, Darrion
Stewart, Ronnie Miles, Elizabeth Silva, Jacob Wells
B. Bond - Alex Bell, Flor Carlos, Mikaela Carr,
Zachariah Garza, Jazmyn Gonzales, Monique Lara,
Carlos Longoria, Andrew Ramey, Hannah Silva, Delena
Underwood, Mika Vanderpool,
H. Rendon - Don'Zanaya Atkins, Danner Foust,
Zachaiy Garcia, J.C. Longoria, Krystian Samora,
Maribel Tovar, Patricia Silva
L. Smith - Brayden Aguilar, Alyssa Alsobrook,
Michael Bellavia, Ethan Boswell, Zane Espinoza,
Jordan Figueroa, Savannah Gonzales, Caleb Sirmons,
Samantha Torres, Irvin Woodard
Third Grade
J. Bennett - Reese Hayes, Keri Jordan, Ariel Martinez,
Arianna Palacios, Emmalee Ramos, Damion Rosas,
Daysha Wright
S. Kilgore - Tayshon Franklin, Nathan Garcia, Abel
Gonzales, Seth Hayes, Angel Longoria, Eleazar Mesta,
Christian Molina, Joshua Reeves, Yolanda Silva, Jailee
Taylor, Alicia Valdez
A. Barkley - Brett Buckner, Celstina Galvan, Leonardo
Gamez, Rylan Hayes, Reese Parker Palafox, Mikayla
Vanderpool
L. Sorrells - Nicholas Alvarado, Cord Becker, Gianna
Clyke, Deshaun Gentry, Victoria Gutierrez, Austin
Jordan, Madeline Perez, Omar Rico, Stefan Taylor,
Laura Valdez, Tyler Warner, D'onna Washington
All-A Honor Roll
B. Kidd - Faith Boyd, Justin Hefner, Addison Torres
B. Winters - Allen Tucker, Ciara Medina
C. Martin - Leighann Castellanos, Autumn Clark,
Matthew Contreras, Jackson Dodd, Kaylei Moncada,
Hartley Sager, Lorena Torres
A. Nixon - Karleigh Adames, Brendin Atkins, Brittany
Bax, Haven Jimenez, Trey Jimenez, Nolan Mims, Amia
Perez, Victoria Reyna
C. Winslett - Alexandria Warner
B. Bond - Jazmyn Gonzalez, Andrew Ramey
H. Rendon - Jennifer Castillo, Danner Foust, Jazmin
Medellin, Rachel Sharrock, Rachael Sparks, Maribel
Tovar
L. Dowdy - Brandon Barrera, Xandria DeLaCruz,
Jonathan Gallegos, Calen Hughes, Hector Medina,
Darrion Stewart, Jesica Aguilera
L. Smith - Ethan Boswell, Zane Espinoza, Haley
Ramirez, Caleb Sirmons, Samantha Torres
A. Barkley - Rylan Hayes
J. Bennett - Reese Hayes, Joshua Jiminez, Derrick
Palacios
S. Kilgore - Timothy Blakeney, Devan Clower, Alycia
Gibson, Christian Molina, Gabriela Olguin, Alex
Palacios
L. Sorrells - Cheyanna Camacho
A-B Honor Roll
B. Kidd - Josh Alexander, Ariseli Garcia, Jacob
Guest, Ryan Hernandez, Levi Little, Delilah Smith,
Brydarius Spotwood
B. Winter - Olivia Fajardo, Ashleigh McKinney,
Crystal Sisk
C. Martin - Caitlin Figueroa, Marcus Hutson, Grady
Kidd
C. Winslett - Aryianne Cree, Korben Cunningham,
Ramiro Lopez Jr, Xander Tucker, Tristan Woodward
A. Nixon - LaDerrick Diggs, Ayezha Little, Derick
Lujan, Priscilla Mendez, Elena Torrez
B. Bond - Flor Carlos, Klarissa Cepeda, Wyatt Crum,
Zachariah Garza,Jakiah Gutierrez, Alex Bell, Mason
Wyrosdick, Jazmyn Gonzalez
L. Dowdy - Arenas Simona, Anastasia DeLeon,
My'Esha Green, Shelby Ramirez, Matthew Renteria,
Matthew Royal, Jacob Wells, Keith Byrne
H. Rendon - Don'Zanaya, Marrques Jones, J.C.
Longoria, Evan Molina, Tanner Robinson, Kristian
Samora, Jacob Zepeda
L. Smith - Iven Abeita, Kynzie Avalos, Michael
Bellavia, Savannah Gonzales, Ricco Lujan, Rylen
Moncada, Kierstyn Thompson
A. Barkley - Kendal Adames, Caitlin Benson, Brett
Buckner, Elizabeth Cadenhead, Jordan Deleon,
Gabriella Gomez, Anjelica Gonzales, Isaac Gonzales,
Jasen Nelson, Diana Olvera, Parker palafox,
Bailey sager, Analysa Trevino, Bob Turner, Milayla
Vanderpool
J. Bennett - Elizabeth Fernandez, Crystal Galvan,
Keri Jordan, Arianna Palacios, Emmalee Ramos,
Austin Smith, Daysha Wright
S. Kilgore - Cassiah castro, Josh Reeves, Chloe
Rivera, Jailee Taylor
L. Sorrells - Gianna Clyke, Austin Jordan, Stefan
Taylor, Tyler Warner, D'Onna Washington
Annie's Mailbox
1RI
BY KATHY MITCHELL AND MARCY SUGAR
Dear Annie: My wife and I are in our
mid-6os. For most of our lives, we have
done pretty well, but lately we've had finan-
cial difficulties because our incomes have
been significantly decreased while our debt
has not. My health is failing, and I don't
know how much longer I can continue to work.
During the good times, we allowed our daughter
and her iusband to move into the second unit of the
duplex we own. We charged minimal rent, which they
soon stopped paying altogether. They don't work ar
do nothing to help around the house. They help them-
selves to our food without telling us, so when we go to
the refrigerator, it is often empty, they have trashed
their living space, and I need to get them out so I can
get some rent coming in.
When I tell them about my financial situation, their
response is, "It's not our problem." When I say they
must move out, they tell me what an evil person I am.
I don't know how to end this without totally destroying
what little famil we have left. Any ideas"? — Slowly
Drowning in Culver City
Dear Culver City: Your daughter and her hus-
band are freeloi iers who are taking advan tage
of your reluctance to throw them out. Where
does your wife stand on this? You two need to
present a united front when you nform your
daughter that you can 10 longer afford to a ow
the unit to be occupied rent-free.
If they are willing to pay a reasonable rent,
they can stay. Otherwise give them a deadline
to move out. Offer to help them find jobs and
another place to live. If yoi can afford it, you
could even donate something toward their
expenses until they get settled in elsewhere.
They won't like it, but unless you p t your foot
down, they will drain you of every last penny.
It's your choice.
Dear Annie: My husband and I love each other
dearly, but I am far more sociable. Occasionally, when
friends invite us over, I go by myself. This is fine with
me, but our friends will invariably ask, "Why didn't
you bring Jim?"
The honest answer, "He didn't feel like coming,"
seems unnecessarily hurtful. But I don't feel comfort-
able making up fake excuses, saying he has to work
when I know he's home surfing the web or reading a
book. How do I respond? — Puzzled
Dear Puzzled: If little white lies bother you,
you can be direct ("You know how Jim can
be.") or honest and evasive ("Jim couldn't
make it."). But if these are good friends, they
should not be surprised if yo simply tell their
that Jim finds socializing difficult and he'd
rather be at home.
Dear Annie: I have a better response for "Dad's
Personal Bank," who said he and his older brother
provide for their father, who complains that it isn't
enough and then takes vacations with their younger
brother. You should have told him to cut Dad off.
I am 87, and my son is 62. For 30 years, we have
given to relatives on both sides of the family. We have
financed homes and cars and issued personal loans. If
it is a gift, they know it. If it is a loan, they know it. We
are the bankers, and we dictate the terms. If there are
hard feelings, too bad.
We have invested a couple of million dollars in these
relatives, and if anybody complains, they are blacklist-
ed. We don't finance vacations or drug habits. I refused
to bail out a nephew who got caught driving without a
license. When I am 100,1 will turn this whole situation
over to my son, who Will then be 75 and can have the
fun of de<- ing with the relatives. — D.C.
Dea D.C.: Not everyone (especially a child)
is willing to take such a hard line, 1 it we're
glad it works for you.
Annie's Snippet, credit Martin Luther King,
Jr.: "Faith is taking the first step sven when
yon don't see the whole staircase."
Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar, Icnigtune editors of the Ann Landers
column. Please e-mail your questions to annies-
mailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox,
c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste.
700, Los A ngeles, CA 90045. To find out more about
Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators
Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators
Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
ROSCOE
STATE BANK
ROSCOE/SWEETWATER/BASTROP
Member FDIC
401 E. 3rd
235-8666
Sweetwater
McCoy
Funeral Home
Jra 907 Br
907 Broadway
766-3452
Roscoe
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 049, Ed. 1 Monday, January 10, 2011, newspaper, January 10, 2011; Sweetwater, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth229365/m1/5/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sweetwater/Nolan County City-County Library.