Texas governor further shakes up panel set to investigate arson finding that led to execution

Texas governor further shakes up forensics panel

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Rick Perry has further shaken up a state panel that was about to review a report concluding that a faulty arson investigation led to a Texas inmate’s execution.

The governor announced Friday that a criminal defense attorney from Fort Worth will fill a vacancy on the Texas Forensic Science Commission and that one medical examiner is replacing another.

Attorney Lance Evans succeeds Samuel Bassett. Randall Frost, the chief medical examiner for Bexar County, will replace Sridhar Natarajan, a medical examiner from Lubbock.

The commission, which oversees professional conduct of forensic laboratories and facilities, was to consider arson findings that led to the 2004 execution of Cameron Willingham.

Perry has said the board changes are routine.