By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
A meeting is now scheduled of the Texas science panel whose inquiry into a possible wrongful execution was derailed last year when Gov. Rick Perry reshuffled its members.
But when it convenes Jan. 29 in Harlingen, the Texas Forensic Science Commission won't resume its probe into the arson finding that led to Cameron Todd Willingham's 2004 execution.
Perry's new appointee to head the commission said Thursday that the meeting will focus on formalizing procedures explaining how the group conducts its business.
Perry appointed the new commission chairman in September as part of a surprise shakeup. That came two days before the panel was to take up a report criticizing the arson finding that led to Willingham's execution for his three daughters' deaths in a 1991 fire near Corsicana.
Gasoline prices down 2 cents in Texas
Texas gasoline prices at the pump have slipped for the first time this year.
AAA Texas on Thursday reported the average retail cost for a gallon of gas declined 2 cents this week, to settle at $2.60. The nationwide cost also retreated by a pair of pennies, reaching $2.74.
Galveston and San Antonio have the lowest retail gasoline prices in Texas, at $2.57 a gallon.
The association survey found El Paso and Beaumont with the most expensive gasoline, at $2.63 a gallon. AAA Texas says demand for gasoline remains historically low and oil prices have seen declines, hovering below $78 a barrel Thursday.
Arson caused 6 E Texas church fires this year
Investigators of a string of east Texas church fires say they've determined arson caused three more of the fires.
Thomas Crowley is a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Dallas. He said Thursday that fires at two Tyler churches and one Wednesday in nearby Lindale brings to six the count of east Texas church fires since Jan. 1 blamed on arson.
The three other fires are in the Athens area, about 70 miles southeast of Dallas and 35 miles southwest of Tyler. Crowley said two other east Texas church fires remain under investigation - one in Corsicana late last year and another in nearby Kerens.
ATF agents from Houston also are investigating a fire earlier this week that devastated the First Baptist Church in Temple. No injuries have been reported.
Perry requests help in 'Twilight Rapist' case
Gov. Rick Perry is asking for more resources to help catch a serial rapist targeting older women in Central Texas.
Perry requested Thursday that a major crimes task force help investigate at least eight sexual assaults or attempted sexual assaults of older women over the past year. The victims ranged in age from 65 to 91. All the women lived alone. The suspect has been dubbed "The Twilight Rapist."
Perry has requested that the Texas Department of Public Safety establish a major crimes task force to work with local authorities. DPS spokesman Tom Vinger says this now elevates the case to a "department-wide priority."
The crimes have all occurred in rural towns, including three cases in Yoakum.