Texas forensic chairman to stay for arson ruling

AUSTIN, Texas – A Republican leader in the Texas Senate is stalling a vote that would oust the head of the state Forensic Science Commission so the controversial chairman can stay in place to rule on a case questioning whether a man was executed based on faulty arson evidence.

Cameron Todd Willingham was executed for a 1991 fire that killed his three young children, but several experts have concluded the fire was an accident.

The forensics panel is set to meet next week to consider its final report in the case. Its chairman is John Bradley, was appointed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry. Perry refused to block the execution in 2004.

GOP Sen. Bob Deuell, chairman of the nominations committee, says he's stalling a vote on the doomed nomination so Bradley can preside.