Governor Abbott Appoints Five To The Advisory Committee To The Texas Board Of Criminal Justice On Offenders With Medical Or Mental Impairments
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Blake Harris, Ph.D. and Stacey Mathews and reappointed Trent Marshall and Casey O’Neal, Ph.D. to the Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments for terms set to expire on February 1, 2031. Additionally, the Governor appointed Nelda Cacciotti to the board for a term set to expire on February 1, 2029. The committee advises the board and the director of the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments on matters related to offenders with medical or mental impairments and performs other duties imposed by the board.
Blake Harris, Ph.D. of Belton is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist. He previously worked as the director of the veterans’ mental health department at the Texas Veterans Commission. He is an executive council member on the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative and a member of the American Association of Suicidology. Harris received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of Texas (UT) at Arlington, a Master of Arts in Psychology from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University.
Stacey Mathews of Austin is judge of the 277th District Court in Williamson County. She is the founding member of the Transformative Justice Program, and a member of the Oversight Board for the Williamson County Auditor’s Office and the Williamson County Adult Probation Department. Additionally, she is a member of the Judicial Commission on Mental Health (JCMH), where she serves as a member of the Curriculum Committee and the Juvenile Bench Book Committee, and chair of the Juvenile Board in Williamson County. She is a founding board member of the Williamson County Inns of Court and previously served on the board of the Georgetown Health Foundation. Mathews received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Northern Colorado and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center.
Trent Marshall of Burleson is the founding attorney with Marshall Law Firm. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Tarrant County Bar Association. Marshall received a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University and a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law (formally Texas Wesleyan University School of Law). He served in the Texas Army National Guard and received an honorable discharge.
Casey O’Neal, Ph.D. of Austin is a licensed psychologist providing both clinical and forensic psychology services. She is a member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Texas Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, where she serves as president, National Register of Health Service Psychologists, and the Therapeutic Assessment Institute. O’Neal received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Liberal Arts Honors, a Master of Arts, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from UT Austin.
Nelda Cacciotti of Fort Worth is the Associate Judge of Probate Court No. 2 in Tarrant County. She is a member of the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Tarrant County Bar Association, and Tarrant County Probate Bar Association. Additionally, she is a Commissioner on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health where she serves as a member of the Legislative Research Committee, Data Committee, and Rural Issues Committee. She serves on the School Advisory Council for Holy Family Catholic School and is a member of the Academic Excellence Committee. Cacciotti received a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Spanish from St. Edwards University and a Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University School of Law (formally Texas Wesleyan University School of Law).