Texas Appeals Court Denies New Trial for 1997 Cooke County Murder Conviction

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Ruling

• 📌 The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has rejected a lower court’s recommendation for a new trial in the 1997 Cooke County capital murder case of Michael Newberry.
• ⚖️ The appeals court stated, "Based on our independent review of the entire record, this court finds that applicant has not met his burden to prove that he is entitled to relief. We deny relief."
• 🚫 The ruling reverses a visiting judge who had found that former district attorney Janelle Havamp withheld critical evidence.

Reactions to the Decision

• 😞 Michael Newberry's attorney, Mark Lacader, expressed disappointment, stating, "We are very disappointed with the Court of Criminal Appeals ruling, we do not agree with it and will be submitting a motion to reconsider."
• 🗣️ Lacader also criticized the decision, adding, "To hold that a man should spend the rest of his life in prison without giving an explanation is unacceptable."
• 🤐 Janelle Havamp, now the county's only elected district judge, cannot comment on the case due to judicial conduct rules.

Case Divisions and Future Implications

• ⚔️ The case has highlighted divisions in Cooke County, with Havamp on one side and current District Attorney John Warren on the other.
• 🤝 John Warren had supported a new trial and stated he would not retry Newberry if it were granted.
• 🏛️ County commissioners hired an outside lawyer to urge the appeals court to uphold Newberry's conviction, while the sheriff and county judge publicly criticized Warren.
• 🔒 Today's decision means that Michael Newberry will remain in prison, barring any unforeseen developments.