Criminal Justice

Out of 17 propositions on the ballot this week, six were focused on property taxes. The Texas Newsroom's Blaise Gainey reports that added to other recent efforts by the state to reduce property taxes, the changes will cost the state north of $50 billion dollars. Proposition 3, which saw 70% approval with Lubbock County voters, will allow judges to deny bail to more people accused of certain violent and sexual crimes. The change means more people will likely remain in jail before their trial.

Proposition 3 requires the denial of bail for people accused of certain violent or sexual offenses if prosecutors put forth enough evidence. Experts are still divided on whether the amendment will bolster public safety and protect the due process rights of the accused.

Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe has been named chair of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards by Governor Greg Abbott. Following a review of state voter rolls using a federal database, Texas election officials say they’ve flagged more than 2,700 registered voters as possible noncitizens. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports those who don’t respond to county offices could have their registration canceled. City councilman Gordon Harris is holding a community meeting for District 2 residents tomorrow from 6 to 7 P.M. at the Mae Simmons Community Center at 2004 Oak Ave.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has blocked the execution of Robert Roberson a week before it was scheduled to occur.

The case is attracting attention from across the nation, even among supporters of capital punishment, who are calling for a halt to Roberson's execution.

The Autism Society of Texas and the Autism Society of America have issued an open letter urging Texas officials to stop the scheduled October 16 execution of Robert Roberson, a man with autism who was sentenced to death in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki.

Almost a year after it closed, Garza County officials say they are finalizing the sale of the Giles W. Dalby Correctional Facility to the state of Texas. Lubbock Public Health has confirmed the presence of both the St. Louis Encephalitis Virus and West Nile Virus in the area. Our Bishop Van Buren reports the city is urging residents to avoid contact with mosquitos. And after a human case of screwworm was confirmed in the U.S., the Texas Department of State Health Services has launched a resource page on its website.

The Justice Department announced charges in what officials describe as the largest health care fraud bust in DOJ history.

A Lubbock man was named alongside more than 300 others in what officials are calling the largest health care fraud takedown in Justice Department history. Our Brad Burt reports he was alleged to have submitted an estimated $19 million in false claims. With the past few days of rain saturating the ground, 4th on Broadway’s evening events will be moved from Mackenzie Park to the South Plains Fairground. Also due to the holiday, city offices will be closed and LHUCA's First Friday Art Trail will instead be on Thursday.

A new execution date has been requested for Robert Roberson, who last year narrowly avoided death after Texas lawmakers intervened. Roberson was convicted for the shaken baby death of his daughter, but his case drew international attention when evidence showed she died from pneumonia. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies has the latest. The City of Lubbock has announced several road maintenance projects starting at the beginning of this week: on 82nd Street, west of the intersection of 82nd Street and Indiana, and Mac Davis Lane.