Travis County DA's office now has panel to vet expert witnesses

KXAN has covered several of the initiatives mentioned in the letter, including updates to handling of sex assault cases.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has released a year-end review to the community, including a change that adds a new "expert witness panel" to vet those the office plans to use to support its cases.

KXAN has covered several of the initiatives mentioned in the letter, including updates to handling of sex assault cases.

The "expert witness panel" reviews every case where someone in the office plans to use an expert. The panel vets the expert witness to make sure the science and input they provide is sound, according to the review.

A KXAN investigation in 2016 revealed questionable testimony by former Travis County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Roberto Bayardo.

KXAN plans to speak with District Attorney Garza Monday asking about the qualifications of the panel members to vet such witnesses.

The report also states in 2021, the DA's office secured 1,200 indictments in cases of violent offenses like murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, aggravated assault and violent crimes against children.

KXAN will update this story after we speak with DA Garza this afternoon.