Hearing in appeal of DeLay conviction put on hold

  AUSTIN, TX -- A court hearing that had been set for next week in the appeal of ex-U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom DeLay's 2010 money laundering convictions has been canceled.

The 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin on Friday canceled oral arguments in DeLay's appeal without giving a reason. No new date was set.

The Austin American-Statesman reports the cancellation follows a request by DeLay's attorney to have one of the justices on the court -- a Democrat -- recuse herself because of "anti-Republican remarks" the judge is alleged to have made at a political convention.

DeLay, a Houston-area Republican, has been free on bond pending his appeal of his three-year prison sentence for his role in a scheme to illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Texas inmate who won last-minute stay loses appeal

  HOUSTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to consider an appeal from Texas death row inmate Duane Buck, who won a last-minute reprieve from the high court in September.

Buck was sentenced to die for killing his ex-girlfriend and a man at her Houston apartment in July 1995.

Buck's lawyers argued he deserved a new sentencing trial because a psychologist testified black people were more likely to be violent in prison. Attorneys contended it was improper to inject race into the sentencing decision.

Five other Texas inmates won new punishment hearings in similar cases. All five were again sentenced to death.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Woman wins appeal to have 'Diaper Baby' book banned

  CHANNELVIEW, TX (KTRK) -- We have an update on a book ban appeal at Brown Elementary School. A Channelview ISD's parent wanting one kid's book banned from the library has finally gotten her wish.

Back in May, we told you that Tammy Harris had filed a complaint with the school. She wanted "The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby" pulled from the library because it contained the phrase 'poo poo head.'

Harris said her son was suspended for using the same phrase.

A committee rejected the complaint last month, but Harris appealed and won and now the book is banned.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Killer of two Houston women loses death row appeal

   HOUSTON -- The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has rejected an appeal from a man from El Salvador sent to Texas death row for the slayings of two women in Houston nine years ago.

Walter Alexander Sorto contended he was mentally impaired, making him ineligible for execution under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Texas court said Wednesday he failed to provide enough evidence to support his claim. The 33-year-old Sorto is one of two men condemned for the abduction, rape and fatal shootings of 24-year-old Roxana Capulin and 38-year-old Maria Rangel. The women were waitresses at a restaurant in what's known as Houston's East End. Prosecutors said Sorto was on probation at the time of the killings and was responsible for at least two other murders. (Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) 

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