Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Tuesday the Senate will delay action on the confirmation of Williamson County prosecutor John Bradley as chairman of the Texas Forensic Science Commission while he (Dewhurst) talks to Senate Democrats about their opposition to the nomination. "I know John Bradley, and I know him to be a very, very effective district attorney," Dewhurst explained. Although the Senate Nominations Committee recommended approval of Bradley's appointment, Democrats have enough votes to block his confirmation by the full Senate - where a two-thirds vote is required. There are 12 Democrats in the 31-member Senate.
Bradley's nomination was initially expected to come up before the full Senate later this week, but Nominations Committee Chairman Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, pulled Bradley from a list of nominees after several Democrats indicated they would vote no because of his actions as chairman of the commission over the last 18 months. There has been controversy over Bradley's comments in the commission's investigation into the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham of Corsicana.
The Innocence Project, national arson experts and other critics claim that the forensic science used to convict Willingham of killing his three children by setting his house on fire was flawed. Bradley, who called Willingham a "guilty monster" in public statements, has come under fire by Democrats for his handling of the investigation and for asking the attorney general whether the commission even has jurisdiction in the case. Bradley, who was nominated by Gov. Rick Perry, would have to be confirmed by the Senate before the end of the current legislative session to remain in his post.
Source: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/confirmation-of-forensic-scien.html
political party major political parties data data politic political collectibles politics 1
No comments:
Post a Comment