Harris County prosecutors obtained a felony murder conviction, using the underlying felony DWI to make the case. For a newspaper report, go to murder article.

It's interesting that this conviction should arise at a time that a bill is being considered by the Legislature to take away the deadly weapon finding in DWI cases (see other thread on HB 1289).

By the way, there also is a bill filed that would accomplish a felony murder punishment range by obtaining an intoxication manslaughter conviction. It is filed as HB 549.

I thought it was interesting that the criminal defense attorney was concerned that the jury indicated they had no problem holding the defendant criminally responsible for a murder. Perhaps we are turning the corner on public opinion on these dangerous drunk driving cases. Now the Legislature needs to get the same message.

The defense also stated that IF his client had been sober it would have been a civil case. He's right, but his client was drunk as the proverbial skunk.

Congratulations to Warrn Diepram (sorry if i misspelled) and the Houston DA's office.