Ex Parte Works

The petitioner, Danny Harlon "Hoppy" Works, was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed. The trial court had admitted as evidence the knife allegedly used by Works in the murder. Works claims that there was a break in the chain of custody of that knife and, therefore, that the trial court erred in allowing it into evidence.

Donna Kay Edwards, the victim, was Works's former girlfriend. On July 27, 1991, Edwards went to a nightclub with Kimberly and Tom Berryman. After leaving the nightclub, the three drove to the Berrymans' home.…