Houston Chronicle Publishing Co. v. Woods

OPINION

BURGESS, Justice.

This is a mandamus action. The Hearst Corporation, d/b/a the Houston Chronicle Publishing Company (Chronicle), seeks a writ ordering Judge W.G. Woods, Jr., to set aside two orders. One order denies the Chronicle’s motion to produce judicial records while the other grants the State’s first amended motion to seal affidavits. Both of these orders grow out of a criminal proceeding. Robert Brice Morrow was indicted, in Liberty County, for capital murder. During the course of the investigation, Judge Woods issued two search warrants. Both warrants were executed and returned.…