Perry's general counsel benefitted from experts in his own arson-related case

[struggle4progress]

... Here's the chronology: Willingham was convicted and sentenced to die for setting a 1991 fire that killed his three children. Perry was presented with evidence that questioned whether the arson investigation was flawed, but he refused to stay the execution in 2004. Since then, several arson investigators - including one hired by the state forensic commission - have concluded the Willingham fire might not have been been arson after all. For his part, Perry has steadfastly defended the execution and dismissed "latter-day supposed experts."

The governor's general counsel, David Medina, was subsequently appointed to the Texas Supreme Court. In a bizarre turn, Medina and his wife were indicted in 2007 in their own arson-related case. They were accused of tampering with evidence in a fire at their home. The Medinas hired experts who found that the arson investigation was flawed - and they were cleared of all charges.

Says Smith: The parallel is incredible, really. The indictment against Francisca Medina was dismissed because independent experts said the fire could have been started by faulty wiring. Willingham was executed after Perry's office rejected an independent expert who said the fire that killed the Willingham children was probably not arson, but caused by faulty wiring ...

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/10/perrys-general-counsel-benefit.html