Lecture Notes: High-Profile Case of Michael Morton

Overview

• Recent high-profile case in Texas where a convicted murderer, Michael Morton, cleared his name and returned to court against his prosecutor.
• Raises questions about prosecutor power and misconduct.

Background of Michael Morton

• Profile: Ordinary citizen with no criminal record.
• Event: Convicted in 1987 for the murder of his wife in a public trial.
• Innocence Claim: Consistently declared innocence, exonerated by DNA testing after 25 years.

Incident Details

• Date: Summer afternoon, 1986.
• Location: Austin, Texas.
• Discovery: Morton’s wife, Christine, found bludgeoned to death; son Eric found alone.

Prosecution and Trial

• Prosecutor: Ken Anderson, Williamson County district attorney.
• Argument: Alleged Morton killed his wife after a refusal of sex; no murder weapon/direct evidence.
• Trial Issues: Morton's defense suspected withheld evidence.
• Denial of Access: Defense lacked access to full police reports and prosecutor’s files.

New Evidence and Exoneration

• Innocence Project: Lawyers obtained access to crucial evidence withheld by Anderson.
• Key Evidence Withheld:
  • Police report of Morton's son witnessing the murder.
  • Neighbor’s report of a suspicious man and vehicle.
• DNA Testing: Bloody bandana linked to a known felon, Mark Allan Norwood.
• Outcome: Morton exonerated; Norwood arrested for the murder and linked to another crime.

Legal and Ethical Implications

• Prosecutor Misconduct: Allegations of Anderson willfully withholding evidence.
• Anderson's Statement: Claimed no misconduct; a mistake was made.
• Legal Action: Anderson subject to a special criminal inquiry due to probable cause findings.
• Challenges: Prosecutors rarely face criminal charges due to absolute immunity.

Broader Impact and Discussion

• Studies: Show few prosecutors are disciplined for misconduct.
• Supreme Court: Prosecutors have absolute immunity from lawsuits for legal actions.
• Comparison: Other professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) do not have such immunity.

Reflections and Conclusion

• Legacy: Importance of accountability in the justice system.
• Reunification: Morton reunited with his son, received compensation.
• Morton's View: Emphasizes accountability over revenge, aims to prevent future injustices.

Notable Cases Cited

• Ted Stevens: Concealment of evidence in corruption trial.
• North Carolina Case: Wrongful imprisonment despite confession from another.
• Louisiana Case: Exonerating evidence not disclosed before execution.

Key Takeaway

• The case exemplifies the importance of transparency and accountability in the legal system to ensure justice and prevent wrongful convictions.