https://texasappeals.org/topics/preponderance-of-the-evidence/Clinical descriptions of the Texas appellate decisions drawing the most press coverage.Hugo -- gohugo.ioen-usMon, 09 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2026/02/ex-parte-mejia-actual-innocence/Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2026/02/ex-parte-mejia-actual-innocence/In a brief per curiam opinion with no stated analysis, the court agreed that Mejia established actual innocence, set aside her three convictions, and remanded her to the custody of the Travis County sheriff to answer the indictment. Judge Finley, joined by Judge Parker, agreed she is entitled to relief but would have granted it under Article 11.073 rather than on actual-innocence grounds.https://texasappeals.org/2024/12/ex-parte-halprin-judicial-bias-new-trial/Mon, 02 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0600https://texasappeals.org/2024/12/ex-parte-halprin-judicial-bias-new-trial/The court found by a preponderance of the evidence that the judge who presided over Halprin’s 2003 capital murder trial was actually biased against him because he is Jewish, held that actual judicial bias is structural error requiring no showing of harm, and remanded for a new trial. A second claim was dismissed as an abuse of the writ.