Condemned Texas man says DNA tests could clear him
Criminal Law
Texas death row inmate Hank Skinner insists DNA testing could exonerate him in the New Year's Eve 1993 slayings of his girlfriend and her two adult sons.
Skinner is scheduled to die Wednesday in Huntsville. On Tuesday, he visited with his French-born wife as he waited for the U.S. Supreme Court or Texas Gov. Rick Perry to decide whether to stop his execution so DNA testing can be done. Skinner and his lawyers say test results could support his innocence claims.
Skinner was convicted of killing 40-year-old Twila Jean Busby, 22-year-old Elwin "Scooter" Caler and 20-year-old Randy Busby in the Texas Panhandle town of Pampa.
Prosecutors argue Skinner isn't entitled to testing of evidence that wasn't tested before his 1995 trial.
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Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
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Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.