DUNCAN, MAURICE PALMER (1945 ~ 1990). Maurice Palmer "Rusty" Duncan, III, Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, was born on January 6, 1945, in Decatur, Texas to Maurice Palmer Duncan, Jr. and Alvorita Badger. He graduated from Jesse H. Jones High School in Houston in 1963, and attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where he received a BS in English in 1967. He obtained his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 1971, and was a member of the Order of the Lytae. He received a master's degree in English from the University of North Texas in 1980. While working on his degree, he was also an adjunct professor of English.
As an attorney, Duncan was a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and served as chairman of the State Bar's Committee on the Study of the Insanity Defense in Texas during 1982 - 83. He was also co-chairman of the State Bar's Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Committee from 1982 to 1984, and was a member of the Senate Committee on the Development of a Criminal Code of Evidence during 1983 - 84.
Duncan was also a faculty member for the New York University Forensic Symposium and was editor of "Voice for the Defense," published by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, during 1984 - 1987.
In 1986, Duncan ran for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and was the only candidate certified as a criminal law expert. On November 4, 1986, he won his campaign and took his oath of office on January 1, 1987. While serving on the Court, Duncan also taught English at St. Edward's University.
After serving only three years, Judge Duncan was killed in an automobile accident on February 28, 1990. He was driving to his father's funeral. He was buried in the Texas State Cemetery five days later.
Information taken from obituary, Austin American-Statesman, Sunday, March 4, 1990. |
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