Press & Media Coverage
September 10, 2021 | Mundo Obrero | By Gloria Rubac
Happy Birthday, Juan Balderas!
A few days in advance of his 35th birthday, family, friends and supporters of Texas death row prisoner Juan Balderas gathered by the dozens to celebrate, sing Happy Birthday, speak to the media and eat some delicious cake his mother brought to share.
June 2, 2020 | Newsweek | By Asher Stockler
Judges' Political 'Pay to Play' System Hurts People Who Can't Afford Attorneys, Study Shows
A "pay to play" scheme in Houston, Texas, is enriching private attorneys who donate to trial court judges responsible for doling out case assignments in Harris County's indigent defense system, often at the expense of defendants who can't afford representation, according to a new analysis.
October 19, 2020 | Mundo Obrero| By Gloria Rubac
The death penalty protested in Texas for the 21st year
The incredible depth and breadth of capital punishment was brought out very clearly on Oct. 10, as the 21st Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty was held. Even though it was a virtual event this year, the passions, emotions, dedication and love shared by all participants were empowering tributes to the determination of Texas families and activists to stop legal lynchings.
June 1, 2020 | New York Times| By Adam Liptak
Campaign Funds for Judges Warp Criminal Justice, Study Finds
Judges in Harris County, Texas, were far more likely to appoint lawyers who had donated to their campaigns to represent poor criminal defendants.
May 14, 2020 | Houston Chronicle | By Samantha Ketterer
Two Harris County district judges face favoritism allegations in defense appointments
Two Harris County district judges face favoritism allegations in defense appointments.
October 7, 2019 | Houston Chronicle | By Zach Despart, Keri Blakinger & Staff
Harris County judges criticized over pace of court-appointed lawyer reform
Harris County’s felony judges have come under fire from Commissioners Court members for not moving fast enough to abolish the longstanding practice of judges appointing lawyers to represent poor defendants.
February 16, 2017 | Texas Observer | By Casey Tolan
Lining Up A Conviction
A suggestive photo lineup put Juan Balderas on death row. Experts say he may have been wrongfully convicted, but will he get a new trial in time?
October 24, 2016 | Splinter | By Casey Tolan
She watched her husband get sentenced to death. Now she’s becoming a lawyer to save him and others.
A suggestive photo lineup put Juan Balderas on death row. Experts say he may have been wrongfully convicted, but will he get a new trial in time?
May 31, 2009 | Houston Chronicle | By Lise Olsen
High-volume defense: How many cases can a death-penalty lawyer handle? And who’s keeping track?
Recently in this space, we complained about lawyer Jerome Godinich, chastised by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals for repeatedly missing deadlines in federal death-penalty cases.
May 19, 2009 | KHOU | By Staff
Experts: Harris Co. taking risks with lawyer appointment system
Judges in Harris County gave attorney Jerome Godinich more than $250,000 of work in each of the county's last two fiscal years, assigning him to work for defendants who can't afford their own lawyer.
March 29, 2009 | Houston Chronicle | By Lise Olsen
Slow paperwork in death row cases ends final appeals for 9
Lawyers’ late filings can be deadly for inmates. Tardy paperwork takes away final appeals for nine men, six of whom have been executed.
March 25, 2009 | Houston Chronicle | By Lise Olsen
Attorneys overworked in Harris County death-row cases
About one-third are over recommended limit on felonies.