Sunday, November 11, 2007
Dallas County gave twice as many murderers probation as death penalty
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comment
|
DALLAS — Dallas County gave probration -- the lightest sentence you can give -- to at least 120 murderers since 2000, according to a study by the Dallas Morning News.
The story also found at least three freed murderers who had previously killed someone. The father of one murdered teenage boy whose killer got probation is quoted as saying, "If you want to commit murder, come to Dallas."
The statistics are pretty overwhelming: 47 convicted killers in Dallas County have been given probation since 2000, which is twice as many murderers that have received the death penalty; twice the rate in Harris County; and more than three times the rate in Tarrant County.
The story seems to conclude that the problem is that, in Texas, juries decide on the sentence, and they feel sympathy for the killer. FYI, if you've murdered someone, hire Dallas lawyer Scottie Allen, who got probation for four murder defendants, more than any other lawyer in the study.
This story is of course worthy and loaded with facts and statistics, something like 200 interviews, as the paper trumpets, arriving in the nick of time for journalism awards season. Look out, as they've armed the link with grim-sounding tribal drumbeats (multi-media!) and have also included an anesthetizing video of the reporters discussing their story (meta!). Lookit this list of all the people who worked on it:
Reporting: Brooks Egerton and Reese Dunklin | Photography/videography: Melanie Burford and Kye R. Lee | Photo/video editors: Kye R. Lee, Mei-Chun Jau, Irwin Thompson, and Chris Wilkins | Interactive presentation: April Kinser, Shane Voirin, G. Noel Gross and Layne Smith | Copy editor: Frank Christlieb | Project editor: Maud Beelman
Posted by T.G.
See more stories in:
Find...
Today
Saturday Tastings in the Wine and Beer Department Little Joey just LOVES the Saturday wine tastings at Central Market - he particularly likes the blind tastings, when he can sneak a snort while Mommie's not looking. (Great nose!) More info
Latest comments
- mechel on Duke's Original Roadhouse (Addison): I love Duke’s! The drink specials are fabulous and the staff is awesome!...
- Jason Rice on Blue Mound homeowner kills one intruder, injures another: Fred, I can’t imagine a more frightening T-shirt slogan....
- xdavidwattsx on UPDATED: McCarty's Restaurant & Tavern on US 75 in Richardson sure looks to be closed -- but looks can be deceiving: “Support your local Bar dude’s, bar’s like there are mostly there for you to begin with.” This sente...
- xdavidwattsx on The Beach Boys with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra : I saw Brian Wilson solo a few years back. I thought it was pretty good, all things considered. Look,...
Latest reviews
- mechel on Duke's Original Roadhouse (Addison): meant to put 5’s sorry!...
- dfarmer59 on Matt's Rancho Martinez (Dallas): ![Posted from if you are looking for the best Tex Mex around, Matts is it. Order the Bob dip. Its a ...
- Stiv on Mama's Pizza (Arlington): Best pizza in the metroplex. Takeout recommended, not much atmosphere. They do not deliver so it’s b...
Things you can't miss
- DFW viewers prefer Republican VP candidate to McCain
- Arlington woman finds Virgin Mary image on a rotting grape
- Dallas-based Fox journalist detained (briefly) by police at Republican National Convention site
- Deal: Cindi's has rotating daily specials featuring bargain-priced blue plates and sandwich combos
Post a comment
(Requires free PegasusNews.com account.)