Nearly a decade later, Graves was exonerated and released from prison. Unlike hundreds of exoneration cases that make headlines, there was no DNA evidence to prove them innocent. Clearing their names required relentlessly chasing leads until the truth was revealed. Brandi Grissom. She writes about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, state politics and the criminal justice system. Receive the latest political news delivered every Tuesday and Thursday from reporters in Austin, Dallas and Washington.
By signing up you agree to our privacy policy. Graves said he now looked forward to being reunited with the board's newly appointed chairman, Nicole Casarez. Since his exoneration, Graves has become a national voice on criminal justice reform, a voice that now will be heard on the board. I didn't nominate him, but I was glad someone did. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.
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On August 18, , police were called to a burning home in Somerville, Texas, where they found the bodies of year-old Bobbie Davis, her year-old daughter, and her four grandchildren, ages 4 to 9.
Davis and the grandchildren had been stabbed, beaten and strangled. During questioning, Carter, of Brenham, Texas, admitted he committed the murders and set the house ablaze. Pressed to name an accomplice, Carter pointed to Anthony Graves, 26, a cousin of his wife, Theresa Carter.
On August, 22, , Graves was taken into custody. Carter went before a Burleson County grand jury and recanted, saying that Graves was not involved in the murders.
However, two members of law enforcement told the grand jury that they heard Graves implicate himself in the crime while in his cell. Graves, also of Brenham, went on trial in October On October 21, immediately before the trial, Carter met with the prosecutor, Charles Sebesta, and said that he alone committed the crime—that Graves was not involved. At the time, Sebesta was working on a deal that would require Carter to testify against both his wife and Graves in return for a life sentence if his death sentence were reversed on appeal.
By the following morning, October 22, , Carter refused to testify against his wife. So the deal was modified—Carter would not be asked any questions about his wife. At the trial, Carter testified that he had committed the crime with Graves. At the time, Carter said he went to the door and spoke with Davis, then said he had to get something from his car.
When he got to the car, Carter said, Graves went inside.
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