By Jeff Carlton
The Associated Press
DALLAS — The district attorney whose office prosecuted a Texas man who was executed for setting fire to his home and killing his three daughters has asked a judge to recuse himself from a hearing that could declare the man innocent.
Navarro County District Attorney R. Lowell Thompson filed a motion Monday in state district court in Austin asking that Judge Charlie Baird recuse himself from Wednesday’s hearing in the case of Cameron Todd Willingham.
Thompson points out that Baird already heard details when the case was before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. He also notes that the judge was honored this year by the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
The Innocence Project, a New York-based legal center, has petitioned Baird to re-examine the evidence in the case.