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Michael Graczyk

Warren Jeffs' phone cut 90 days

Last updated Monday, January 9, 2012 - 2:46pm

HOUSTON -- Texas corrections officials have cut off phone privileges of imprisoned polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs for 90 days for violating rules by making telephone calls that were put on speakerphone.

Polygamy, Prison, Warren Jeffs, FLDS Church, National Read more Comments

This undated handout photo provided by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shows Duane Buck. Defense attorneys are calling on Texas Gov. Rick Perry to halt the execution of Buck who is scheduled to be put to death Thursday because jurors heard testimony during sentencing in his 1997 trial that blacks are more likely to pose future dangers to the public. (AP Photo/Texas Department of Criminal Justice)

Texas execution halted

Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, September 16, 2011 - 9:31am

HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- A black man convicted of a double murder in Texas 16 years ago was at least temporarily spared from lethal injection when the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review his lawyers' claims that race played an improper role in his sentencing.

Execution, Prison, Texas, U.S. Supreme Court, National Read more Comments

Tammy Heath spreads dirt on the smoldering ground in an attempt to keep a fire from jumping a fire break in Linden, Texas. More than 1,000 homes have been destroyed in at least 57 wildfires across rain-starved Texas, most of them in one devastating blaze near Austin that is still raging out of control, officials said Tuesday. (AP Photo/ The Texarkana Gazette,Evan Lewis)

Wildfires in Bastrop area 30 percent contained

Jim Vertuno, Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, September 7, 2011 - 10:18am

BASTROP, Texas — The Texas Forest Service says massive wildfires near Austin are 30 percent contained.

Drought, Forests, Texas, Wildfire, National Read more Comments

Texas wildfires kill 4, destroy more than 1,000 homes

Jim Vertuno, Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 5:32pm

BASTROP, Texas -- One of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in Texas history left more than 1,000 homes in ruins Tuesday and stretched the state's firefighting ranks to the limit, confronting Gov. Rick Perry with a major disaster at home just as the GOP presidential contest heats up.

More than 180 fires have erupted in the past week across the rain-starved Lone Star State, and nearly 600 of the homes destroyed since then were lost in one catastrophic blaze in and around Bastrop, near Austin, that raged out of control Tuesday for a third day.

Drought, Weather, Wildfires, National Read more Comments

Firefighters from around the state battle a large wildfire on Highway 71 near Smithville, Texas, Monday, Sep. 5, 2011. A roaring wildfire raced unchecked Monday through rain-starved farm and ranchland in Texas, destroying nearly 500 homes during a rapid advance fanned in part by howling winds from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. (AP Photo/Erich Schlegel)

Wildfire destroys nearly 500 homes in Texas

Michael Graczyk, Will Weissert The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - 7:11am

BASTROP, Texas — Calmer winds Tuesday should help firefighters battling a wildfire that has destroyed nearly 500 homes in Central Texas and forced thousands of residents to evacuate to shelters to avoid the blaze, officials said.

Texas, Wildfire, National Read more Comments

Warren Jeffs being moved to prison hospital

Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 3:45pm

HOUSTON -- Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs is being moved to a prison hospital for additional treatment after he became sick while fasting.

Polygamy, Prison, Warren Jeffs, FLDS Church, National Read more Comments

FILE - In this Aug. 5, 2011 file photo, Warren Jeffs, right, is escorted out of the Tom Green County Courthouse by a law enforcement officer in San Angelo, Texas. The polygamist leader has been hospitalized after not eating or drinking enough. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

Warren Jeffs sedated, responsive, should recover

Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 10:25am

HOUSTON -- A Texas prison official says polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs is sedated but responsive despite failing to eat and drink enough since receiving a life sentence for sexually assaulting underage girls.

Polygamy, Warren Jeffs, FLDS Church, National Read more Comments

Warren Jeffs in coma

Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, August 29, 2011 - 5:20pm

HOUSTON — Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs was hospitalized Monday in a medically induced coma in critical condition after fasting in the weeks since receiving a life sentence for sexually assaulting underage followers he took as spiritual brides, officials said.

Polygamy, Prison, Warren Jeffs, FLDS Church, National Read more Comments

Warren Jeffs hospitalized

Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, August 29, 2011 - 10:59am

HOUSTON -- Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has been hospitalized after not eating or drinking enough since his recent conviction on child sexual assault charges, a prison official said Monday.

The 55-year-old head of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is in critical but stable condition, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Michelle Lyons told The Associated Press. It is uncertain how long he will be hospitalized.

Courts, Polygamy, Warren Jeffs, National Read more Comments

Bell County Sheriffs Department, File/The Associated Press
This April 9, 2010, file photo released by the Bell County Sheriffs Department shows U.S. Major Nidal Hasan at the San Antonio to Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas, after his Nov. 5 shooting spree at Fort Hood. More testimony from victims was heard during Hasan's Article 32 hearing Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010, at Fort Hood, Texas.

Soldier: Fort Hood gunman did not target anyone

Angela K. Brown, Michael Graczyk, The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, October 18, 2010 - 3:21pm

FORT HOOD, Texas -- A gunman who appeared to be trying to hit any Army personnel who moved during a deadly rampage at Fort Hood last year fatally shot a pregnant soldier who had recently returned from Iraq, a military court heard Monday.

Crime, Shooting, Featured, Military Read more Comments

ERIC GAY/The Associated Press
John Galligan (left) and Lt. Col. Kris Poppe, defense attorneys for Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, leaves the U.S. Magistrate court where an Article 32 hearing for Hasan was being held, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010 in Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan, 40, is charged with premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder in a Nov. 5 attack , which killed 13 people and wounded 32 others in a processing center where soldiers were making final preparations to deploy. The Article 32 hearing, which will determine whether there is enough evidence to put the Army psychiatrist on trial, was adjourned for the day Tuesday when defense attorneys asked for a nearly month-long delay.

Military court hears Fort Hood shooting 911 call

Angela K. Brown, Michael Graczyk, The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 11:14am

FORT HOOD, Texas -- A terrified civilian worker begged a 911 dispatcher for help as gunfire and screams rang out during a deadly rampage at Fort Hood, according to a recording of the phone call played Wednesday at a military hearing to decide if an Army psychiatrist accused in the attack should stand trial.

Crime, Courts, Shooting, Featured, Military Read more Comments

ERIC GAY/The Associated Press
A police dog is used to walk the perimeter of the U.S. Magistrate court where an Article 32 hearing for Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is scheduled to be held, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010 in Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan, 40, is charged with premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder in a Nov. 5 attack , which killed 13 people and wounded 32 others in a processing center where soldiers were making final preparations to deploy. The Article 32 hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to put the Army psychiatrist on trial.

Witnesses key at Ft. Hood shooting suspect hearing

Angela K. Brown, Michael Graczyk, The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 11:03am

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Witnesses to a gunman's deadly rampage at Fort Hood are expected to begin describing the attack to a military court Tuesday, providing new details about the scene that unfolded nearly a year ago in a processing center as soldiers made final preparations to deploy.

Crime, Shooting, Fatality, Featured, Military Read more Comments

Police: Houston teen hired friend to kill mom

Michael Graczyk The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, January 7, 2010 - 1:06pm

HOUSTON -- A high school student told investigators he hired a schoolmate to kill his mother because she was too strict, police said in announcing capital murder charges against the two.

Crime, National Read more Comments