Travis County District Attorney José P. Garza Responds to Misleading Ad Released by Governor Abbott’s Campaign 

Ad Features Case of Wrongfully Convicted Man Whose Conviction Was Reversed by the All-Republican Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Travis County, TX — Today, Governor Abbott’s campaign released a political advertisement regarding the 1991 murder of Anita Byington that accuses the Travis County District Attorney of “releasing a confessed murderer.” The ad relates to the case of Allen Andre Causey. 

In 2025, the all-Republican Court of Criminal Appeals reversed Mr. Causey’s conviction.  Ex parte Causey, 710 S.W.3d 829 (Tex. Crim. App. 2025). The Court’s opinion states: “This Court finds that habeas relief should be granted based on the State’s unknowing use of false testimony.”  The false testimony referred to in the Court’s opinion was a portion of Mr. Causey’s alleged confession.  

“The family of Anita Byington deserves justice, and Mr. Causey deserves peace,” said Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza. “Mr. Causey was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. His conviction was overturned by the all-Republican Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. We will continue seeking justice for Anita Byington and will continue fighting to hold the actual perpetrator accountable.” 

Decades after Mr. Causey’s conviction, new evidence emerged which suggested that Ms. Byington had been killed by an alternate suspect known to investigators. Mr. Causey served 32 years in prison before the Court of Criminal Appeals reversed his conviction. 

Mr. Causey’s case is one of several handled by the Travis County District Attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates claims of wrongful conviction and actual innocence.  

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