Gov. Perry replaces head of agency investigating Texas arson findings

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has replaced the head of a state commission that is investigating a questionable finding of arson in the case that led to the 2004 execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, just as the commission was due to hold a public hearing examining the case.

The commission had hired a nationally known expert whose review of the Willingham case was released last month. The author, Craig Beyler, called the investigation slipshod and determined that almost all of the evidence presented was based on junk science.

Beyler was due to address the commission, review his report and take questions at a meeting Friday in Irving. He had reached the conclusion that no credible evidence existed to believe that the fire, that killed three children, was caused by arson.

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