Debrief: How the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the criminal justice system in Bexar County, Texas

SAN ANTONIO – The coronavirus pandemic is now affecting the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

On Tuesday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin issued a 60-day stay of execution to John William Hummel, on death row for the 2011 murders of his wife, daughter and daughter-in-law.

The COVID-19 spread has also halted criminal and civil trials in Bexar County until April 16.

Texas death chamber closed temporarily due to coronavirus concerns

In the video above, KSAT 12′s Paul Venema talks to GMSA @ 9 about how the pandemic is affecting the criminal justice system across Texas.

COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new virus, stands for coronavirus disease 2019. The disease first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, but spread around the world in early 2020, causing the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in March.

MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE FROM KSAT:

• Here’s what we know about the 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases in San Antonio
• SA school districts extend closures 2 more weeks amid emergency over coronavirus
• SAQ: What does San Antonio’s emergency declaration do?
• 8 ways to help your fellow San Antonians during coronavirus pandemic
• These SA restaurants, bars, chains are closing their dining rooms due to coronavirus
• Drive-through COVID-19 testing is now in San Antonio. Here’s what we know.
• The ultimate coronavirus guide: From preparedness and prevention to testing and treatment
• SAQ: Your coronavirus questions answered
• Track live coronavirus updates in the US, globally with real-time maps of confirmed cases, deaths
• Social distancing and hungry? These San Antonio-area restaurants are offering To-Go deals
• The latest: What you should know about coronavirus cases in San Antonio