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Dallas DA Makes Waves by Overturning Convictions

DA makes waves with quest to root out wrongful convictions

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 15, 2008 6:34 AM CST
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(Newser) – Craig Watkins is becoming famous for something rather unusual for a district attorney: getting people out of jail, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dallas County prosecutor is painstakingly going through hundreds of convictions secured by his predecessors, using DNA evidence to overturn wrongful convictions. His Conviction Integrity Unit has freed six convicts in the last year alone. One had served 27 years for a murder he didn't commit.

The exonerations have put Watkins in the national spotlight and made waves in the legal world. Critics accuse Watkins of being a "hug-a-thug" DA, and some prosecutors say he is giving the justice system a bad name. Watkins says his quest to correct the wrongs of the past—in a county notorious for slipshod, convict-at-all-costs prosecutions—isn't about publicity, but simply about doing the right thing. "We have the constitutional obligation to seek justice," he said.

Dallas County DA Craig Watkins points towards historical documents connected to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy during a press conference in Dallas, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008.
Dallas County DA Craig Watkins points towards historical documents connected to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy during a press conference in Dallas, Monday, Feb. 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins reads from a documen connected to the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, during a press conference in Dallas, Monday Feb. 18, 2008.
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins reads from a documen connected to the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, during a press conference in Dallas, Monday Feb. 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins poses in his Dallas law office, Dec. 21, 2006.
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins poses in his Dallas law office, Dec. 21, 2006.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez )
James Lee Woodard is shown in this undated photo. Woodard, who spent more than 27 years in prison, has been cleared of a 1980 murder and was released in April this year.
James Lee Woodard is shown in this undated photo. Woodard, who spent more than 27 years in prison, has been cleared of a 1980 murder and was released in April this year.   (AP Photo/ Dallas County District Attorney's Office)
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Many times, you bring these cases to district attorneys and they say, 'You can't go see my file. I won't do anything.' Watkins takes the view that if he can correct a wrongful conviction, that's a good thing. - A director of the Texas Innocence Project

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Guest
Nov 16, 2008 11:45 PM CST
If our country survives the next century, this mans name will be read in the US History books of that time! I applaud! This shows just how much hope we can have...
Shannonals
Nov 16, 2008 6:34 AM CST
"Giving the Justice system a bad name?" Why, because the DA is doing his job?
Newser001
Nov 15, 2008 9:13 PM CST
This is the first DA I've heard of, with a conscious.

Watkins plans to re-examine 40 death penalty cases
Dallas Morning News

Man freed after 27 years rebuilds his life
CNN

 
Texas • Dallas • justice • wrongful conviction • exonerate • innocence • district attorney • DNA evidence • Craig Watkins

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