Judge OKS delay so defense can find DNA expert

GEORGETOWN — Defense lawyers in Mark Norwood’s capital murder trial were granted a delay in the trial Friday so new DNA experts can examine evidence.

Norwood has been charged with capital murder in connection with the 1986 death of Christine Morton in Williamson County. Christine Morton’s husband, Michael Morton, was wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years in connection with her death until DNA evidence exonerated him in the fall of 2011.

Norwood’s lawyers filed a motion in Judge Burt Carnes’ district courtroom last week asking that the trial be delayed after their original DNA expert told them that they need to find another.

The Texas attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting the case, has received a statistical analysis of two DNA reports.

Norwood’s lawyers

San Marcos resident

SRead previous coverage of the Michael Morton case with this story on said that their original DNA expert has told them “that he cannot properly address these issues in court,” the motion filed last week said. The delay in the trial will allow the new expert time to examine the findings.

The trial was set to begin Jan. 7 in San Angelo. Carnes said during the brief hearing on Friday that he hopes to have the new date for the trial, which will be held in Tom Green County, set next week.

The new trial date could be as late as June. ment with TxDOT to pay for a tribal monitor to oversee covering the site with concrete, according to Van Slyke. A TxDOT attorney is scheduled to meet Saturday with representatives from the five tribal governments, along with a representative from a sixth tribal government who has yet to approve the plan. That would allow construction on the three-mile stretch to resume.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa McClain, who is handling the case, would not comment.

The discovery, which included extensive arrow and dart points, pottery and what appeared to be butchered bones, was a surprise.

Moore Archaeological Consulting’s initial archaeological survey in the early 1980s deemed the site of minor cultural importance, Burton said.

Van Slyke added that no evidence of burials was found during TxDOT’s project planning.

Burton said he believes there are more artifacts in the area. “This is the best preserved human bones in Southeast Texas,” he said.

Van Slyke said further scientific studies may continue on the artifacts discovered at the site.

The Harris County Historical Commission has plans to nominate the site for an Official Texas Historical Marker.