Harris County

Harris County backs off removal of eight charities for juror pay donation

Posted on · A proposal by Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess questioned the legality of including some organizations on a list of beneficiaries for jury pay donations. A subsequent review found there was no issue.

Criminal Justice

Harris County district clerk talked about ‘justice’ for victims in video that led to murder mistrial

Posted on · The words of one speaker at "Jury Appreciation Week" led to a murder mistrial. In video obtained by Houston Public Media through a public records request, Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess made similar comments.

Houston Matters

Thursday’s Show: Pregnancy Amid COVID-19, And The Effect On Court Proceedings (March 26, 2020)

Posted on · On Thursday's Houston Matters: COVID-19 and pregnancy, the effect on jails and prisons, how courts have adapted, tips for staying physically active, and our monthly film segment, The Bigger Picture.

Houston Matters

Restored Harris County Documents Shed New Light on the Slocum Massacre

Posted on · In July of 1910, violence broke out in the East Texas farming community of Slocum. Numerous African Americans were killed by whites. But the details of exactly what happened are murky. Newspaper reports from the time say between eight and 22 people were killed. Other accounts suggest the total could be far higher — more […]

Houston Matters

New Opera Tells the Story of Historic Harris County Court Case

Posted on · When members of Houston Grand Opera perform tonight (May 4, 2016), it won't be on the Wortham Theater Stage. Instead, it'll be inside a courtroom full of lawyers. News 88.7 arts and culture reporter Amy Bishop has more on the opera, called What Wings They Were: The Case of Emeline. It’s based on an historic […]

Houston Matters

Nelly Norris: Freed Slave Fights Attempts to Re-Enslave Her

Posted on · In the early 1800s in Texas, the law of the land required any freed slave to carry documentation on them at all times proving their free status. There were some who tried to profit from the law by trying to re-enslave those caught without their paperwork – as if they were unclaimed property. Recently discovered […]