This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
Background and question before the Court
Justice Thomas asked the counsel to explain the precise liberty interests that the client claims have been deprived and who deprived him of those interests.
According to Justice Sotomayor, justice Sotomayor referenced the Court’s finality rule (Court Rule 13.3) during questioning.
What each side argues
Texas
Texas argues that Reed lacks standing.
According to Texas, texas invokes the State's sovereign immunity.
Parker Rider‑Longmaid
According to Parker Rider-Longmaid, a claim modeled after Skinner accrues at the end of the state court litigation seeking DNA testing, based on doctrinal and practical reasons.
According to Parker Rider-Longmaid, the liberty interest at issue is proving one's innocence with newly discovered evidence, which must be vindicated by fair procedural due process.
According to Parker Rider-Longmaid, the injury claimed is the deprivation without due process of the liberty interest in proving innocence with newly discovered evidence.
According to Mr. Rider-Longmaid, practical considerations include the Fifth Circuit's rule on Goertz and the injury that arises when a trial court first denies testing.
Mr. Stone
According to Mr. Stone, the petition under Section 1257 is a proper vehicle for alleging a due process problem in the Court of Criminal Appeals.
What happened at oral argument
Justice Thomas asked counsel to clarify the specific liberty interests at issue and who deprived the client of them.
According to Justice Sotomayor, justice Sotomayor referenced the Court’s finality rule (Court Rule 13.3).
Justice Alito questioned whether exhaustion of state remedies is required for a §1983 due process claim.
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- 22e922b58946cdd6045b-r1-4cde8b7a5790b703.pdfopinion
- 410213d9d1084c8ffc19-r1-fb711db546a54e09.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 29, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.