MINUTES 
                                           
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE 
                              Tuesday, January 4, 2005 
                                     9:00 a.m. 
              Houston Community College Conference and Training Center 
                                     Auditorium 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Criminal  
         Justice was held on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at Houston  
         Community College, Houston Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator John Whitmire                   Senator John Carona 
         Senator Rodney Ellis                    Senator Juan Hinojosa 
         Senator Kel Seliger                     Senator Steve Ogden 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The committee heard invited testimony concerning problems that  
         have occurred within the Houston Crime Lab, as well as similar  
         issues experienced statewide. 
          
         Senator Ellis assumed the chair.   
          
         Senator Whitmire resumed the chair.   
          
         At 12:10 p.m. Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand  
         recessed for lunch.  Without objection it was so ordered. 
          
         At 12:45 p.m.  Senator Whitmire reconvened the hearing. 
          
         Invited testimony resumed. 
          
         The committee then heard public testimony from individuals that  
         were wrongfully convicted as well as citizens concerned with  
         both Houston and statewide Crime Lab issues. 
          
         There being no further business, at 3:45 p.m. Senator Whitmire  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator John Whitmire, Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Carley Rose, Clerk 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator John Whitmire, Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Carley Rose, Clerk