murder on Texas Appeals Journalhttps://texasappeals.org/topics/murder/Clinical descriptions of the Texas appellate decisions drawing the most press coverage.Hugo -- gohugo.ioen-usMon, 16 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500Supreme Court of the United States Holds Trial Judge Could Bar Lawyers From Managing Defendant’s Ongoing Testimony During Overnight Recesshttps://texasappeals.org/2026/03/villarreal-v-texas/Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0500https://texasappeals.org/2026/03/villarreal-v-texas/The Court held that a Texas trial judge did not violate the Sixth Amendment by instructing a testifying defendant’s lawyers, during a 24-hour overnight recess, not to manage his ongoing testimony while permitting all other discussion. Seven Justices formed the majority; Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Gorsuch, concurred in the judgment only.Court of Criminal Appeals Grants Habeas Relief to Kerry Max Cook on Actual-Innocence Claim in 1977 Smith County Murderhttps://texasappeals.org/2024/07/ex-parte-cook-actual-innocence/Mon, 08 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0500https://texasappeals.org/2024/07/ex-parte-cook-actual-innocence/The court held that newly discovered DNA evidence, combined with evidence of false testimony and State misconduct, established by clear and convincing evidence that no rational jury would convict Cook of the 1977 Tyler murder. It did not reach his remaining due-process claims, and the habeas court had recommended denying the actual-innocence claim.