Fort Worth Local Pulse: Death Row Case Gets Major Boost, City Distances From Chavez

Good morning, this is Fort Worth Local Pulse for Friday, March 20th. We're starting with a significant development out of Garland this morning that's capturing national attention. Just one month before his scheduled execution on April 30th, death row inmate James Broadnax is getting a major legal boost. His cousin and co-defendant, Dearius Cummings, who's serving life without parole, has now declared in court filings that he was actually the one who pulled the trigger in a 2008 double murder case at a Christian music recording studio. Cummings says both men were under the influence at the time and that he pressured Broadnax to take the fall because of Broadnax's clean criminal record. According to court documents, DNA evidence found on the pistol matches Cummings, not Broadnax. Broadnax's legal team, working across multiple states, has filed a post-conviction writ with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which is expected to rule before the execution date. This case has also raised questions about jury selection, with attorneys pointing out that seven Black potential jurors were struck during the original trial. Here in Fort Worth, the city is continuing its effort to distance itself from civil rights activist Cesar Chavez following serious sexual assault allegations. This week, the city removed honorary street signs bearing Chavez's name from I-35W on the north side. However, signs honoring Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, will remain. The community group formerly known as the Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta Committee of Tarrant County has also rebranded itself as the Si Se Puede Committee. The organization is shifting its focus and will not hold its usual March for Justice this year, instead participating in a No Kings Day rally on March 28th. Local scholars and community leaders are calling for thoughtful discussions about how to honor the farm worker movement's legacy going forward while also addressing past misconduct. Also moving forward downtown, the Regional Transportation Council approved an additional eight million dollars in funding earlier this month for Heritage and Paddock Park, two green spaces near the historic district. This injection of funding is expected to accelerate improvements to these community gathering spots. Looking at today's weather, we're expecting typical March conditions with temperatures reaching the mid-seventies. It's a pleasant day to get outside and enjoy those parks or take care of any outdoor activities you've been planning. That's what's happening in our community today. Thank you for tuning in to Fort Worth Local Pulse. Be sure to subscribe for more updates tomorrow. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.