By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has acquitted a man jailed for murder largely on the evidence of three bloodhounds that allegedly matched his scent to the crime scene.
Richard Winfrey Sr. could soon be freed after the appeals court reversed his 2007 guilty verdict Wednesday, ruling the evidence was legally insufficient to convict. Prosecutors will not be allowed to retry the case.
The main evidence in the 2004 murder of Murray Burr was a positive scent identification from three bloodhounds named Quincy, James Bond and Clue.
The dogs belong to a former sheriff's deputy who is the defendant in at least three other lawsuits by inmates who say the dogs linked them to crimes they did not commit.
Las Vegas Decision Over Hinojosa Could Be Delayed
A decision by the Las Vegas school system about Dallas Superintendent Michael Hinojosa could be delayed.
That's because yet another candidate might be added to the Las Vegas list.
The Clark County, Nevada School District is currently interviewing Hinojosa to be its next superintendent. It's also talking to Colorado's Education Commissioner. While a third choice dropped out, the search firm is expected to recommend another person today. The board will then set up interviews, probably for next week.
A Clark County Schools representative says whomever the district picks, trustees probably will not announce the chioce until early October.
3 found dead in north Texas after apparent arson
Authorities believe a fire was set at a mobile home near Sherman in an attempt to destroy evidence in the slayings of a man and two sisters.
The Grayson County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that 30-year-old Brian Lee Ritchie died of multiple gunshot wounds and blunt and sharp force injuries.
Ritchie's girlfriend, 25-year-old Misty Yvonne Ballou, died from multiple gunshot wounds. Her pregnant sister, 28-year-old Cassandra Dawn Ballou, died of a gunshot wound and a stab wound. The older sister was visiting from Fredericksburg.
Grayson County Sheriff's Sgt. Rickey Wheeler said there have been no arrests. He says it appears the incident was isolated.
Their bodies were discovered Monday. Sherman is about 60 miles north of Dallas.