The laws of Texas are upon you...

[Ninong]

If you think Louisiana's laws are strange, check this out:

At his 1999 trial, Jimmy Dean Watkins was found guilty of murdering his wife but the jury recommended that he receive only 10 years probation because they determined that he acted with "sudden passion." Because of the jury's recommendation, the most the judge could have given him was six months. The judge decided to give him four months!

Watkins had admitted the attack but claimed temporary insanity. Texas defines "sudden passion" as being so overcome by rage, resentment or fear that the defendant is "incapable of cool reflection." Jurors said they recommended probation because they didn't think Watkins could be rehabilitated in prison.

There is a recent twist to the story, which is why it is news again. The state belatedly decided to charge him with the attempted murder of his wife's boyfriend (he had shot both of them when he discovered them together) and he was sentenced this week to 15 years for that crime. http://cnn.law.printthis.clickabilit...partnerID=2013

Looks like some of those Texas laws were written by men. It's cool to kill your wife if she's cheating on you but very uncool to kill the other guy -- he could be one of us! :eek3:

[Samper]

Speaking of crazy Texas, I don't know what to make of this,

My neighbor is from Texas I don't know what part. She is in the military and a single mother. Her daughter was born in November of 04. Her ex is living in Texas currently and has married a woman with 2 kids.

This loser hasn't spoken to my neighbor since about 2 months after he found out she was pregnant, has obviously never seen his daughter, never paid a dime, sent a gift....anything.

Now all of a sudden he's suing her for custody and a name change of the baby, he's also filing for child support. I read the paperwork and from what I gather he is claiming that he is the main person responsible for this baby!!!

I have a sneaky suspicion that his new wife wants this child support money for her kids. My neighbor has been a great mother so far and dedicates her entire life to this child and I can't for the life of me figure out where this guy has a case. Now she has to pay to fly to Texas, get a lawyer etc for this dead beat and the way things work down there he might just win due to the fact that he has a family and she's single.

[berna]

Hello Samper,

Your neighbor should seek legal assistance because her ex seems serious in obtaining child support and custody.

Remember that the court does not rely on suspicion alone. So if you think that the guy and his new wife are just using the child to get money, then you must prove it in the court. Bear in mind that the court decides for the best interest of the child.

In giving custody rights, the court will look at the following factors:

• The history of contact between the parents and the child
• The health, safety and welfare of the child
• The mental and physical health of the parents, and how close they live to each other
• The preference of a child age 12 or older
• Evidence of child abuse

If you need more help and information, browse through divorce and child custody resources