Courthouse News – March 2017

    GUILTY VERDICT   03/31/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor MICALA CLARK for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #4-Cause #2079639

 

Driving While Intoxicated (.075)

the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 1 year Probation  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/30/17 – 248th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor KEATON FORCHT for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1519307

Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon – a firearm

 Sentence – 25 years in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/30/17 – 184th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor KERI FULLER for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1471924

Aggravated Sexual Assault

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the complainant’s mouth with his sexual organ without her effective consent compelling her to submit by threatening to use force or violence by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon – a knife

 Sentence – 28 years in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT    03/30/17 – 178th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEPHEN DRIVER for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1437684

Capital Murder

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing and attempting to commit robbery intentionally cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a deadly weapon – a firearm

 Sentence – Life in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/30/17 – 178th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor AMANDA BENAVIDES for a Guilty verdict in Cause #0483100

Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child

the charge – (1986) – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly penetrate the female sexual organ of the complainant, a person younger than 14 years of age, by placing his sexual organ into her sexual organ

 Sentence – 30 years Prison + $10,000 Fine  

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/30/17 – County Court at Law #8

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney MORGAN BOURQUE for a Not Guilty verdict in Cause #2081076

Failure to Stop and Give Information

the charge – unlawfully while driving a motor vehicle was involved in an accident resulting only in damage of at least $200 to the complainant’s vehicle and intentionally and knowingly failed to stop at or near the scene of the accident to offer his name, address and insurance information

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/30/17 – County Court at Law #8

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor CHEUCK YEE for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2081075

Driving While Intoxicated (.088)

the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 1 year Probation  

 GUILTY VERDICT     03/29/17 – 176th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEVE WALSH for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1500982

Possession of a Controlled Substance

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess methamphetamine weighing more than 1 gram and less than 4 grams

 Sentence – 7 years in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT     03/29/17 – 339th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor JAMES MURPHY for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1465621

Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft intentionally and knowingly threaten and place complainant in fear of imminent bodily injury and death by using and exhibiting a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence – 35 years in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/29/17 – County Court at Law #3

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor ANDI LEX for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2072870

Assault

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by striking the complainant with his hand

 Sentence – 18 months Probation  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/29/17 – County Court at Law #1

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor JULIANA SERRANO for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2098408

Driving While Intoxicated (.103)

the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 1 year Probation  

March 29, 2017

Deputy Manny Lopez of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is retiring after 35 years of service to the county.  He ended his career as bailiff in county court at law #15.  He was a pleasure to be around and we all wish him well in his future endeavors.  Here are some pictures of his retirement party courtesy of court 15’s excellent coordinator Laura Conte

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/28/17 – County Court at Law #7

 

Congratulations to Prosecutors DAVE BRUCKER and SARA SIEGEL for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2100220

Driving While Intoxicated (.169)

the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 2 years Probation + 10 days in Jail  

NEWSWORTHY CASE 03/28/17

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/23/17 – 248th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor ABBIE RUSSELL for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1494617

Criminal Negligent Homicide

the charge – unlawfully with criminal negligence cause the death of the complainant by striking the complainant with a motor vehicle

 Sentence – 15 months in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT    03/22/17 – 230th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor LAUREN REEDER for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1489890

Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft place the complainant in fear of imminent bodily harm and death by using or exhibiting a firearm

 Sentence – 50 years in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/22/17 – County Court at Law #16

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor BAYOJI AKINGBOLA for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2094570

Violation of a Protective Order

the charge – unlawfully with knowledge of a family violence protective order violate said order by going to the complainant’s home and refusing to leave

 Sentence – 1 year in Jail  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/22/17 – County Court at Law #11

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor VINCE TANZILLO for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2103841

Driving While Intoxicated (.20)

the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 1 year Probation  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/22/17 – 183rd District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor MELISSA MUNOZ for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1453674

Murder convicted as Manslaughter

the charge – unlawfully recklessly cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a firearm

 Sentence – 14 years in Prison  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/22/17 – County Court at Law #11

 

Congratulations to Prosecutors VINCE TANZILLO and STEPHANIE MORALES for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2096686

Driving While Intoxicated (.10)

the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 18 months probation + $500 Fine + 3 days in Jail  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/21/17 – County Court at Law #13

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor KATE HILL for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2103711

Theft >$750 and <$2500

the charge – unlawfully appropriate by exercising control over clothing that was valued between $750 and $2500 with the intent to deprive the owner of the property

 Sentence – 16 days in Jail  

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/21/17 – County Court at Law #5

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor LARA HOGUE for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2081056

Assault on a Family Member

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant with whom he had a dating relationship by striking the complainant with his hand

 Sentence – 1 year Probation + 15 days in Jail 

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/17/17 – 184th District Court

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JOE WELLS for a NOT Guilty verdict in Cause #1481533

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly threaten complainant with imminent bodily injury by using or exhibiting a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/16/16 – 184th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor RYAN TRASK for a guilty verdict in Cause #1493220

Serious Bodily Injury to a Child

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause serious bodily injury to a child under 15 years of age

 Sentence – 10 years Probation 

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/16/17 – County Court at Law #1

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor KAITLIN KAUFMANN for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2111705

Burglary of a Motor Vehicle

the charge – unlawfully with the intent to commit theft, break into and enter a vehicle without the consent of the complainant

 Sentence – 120 days in Jail 

 GUILTY VERDICT    03/15/17 – 338th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor JOSEPH SANCHEZ for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1414967

Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon

the charge – while in the course of committing theft intentionally and knowingly place the complainant in fear of imminent bodily injury and death by exhibiting a firearm

 Sentence – 60 years Prison 

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/15/17 – County Court at Law #10

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JAMES FLETCHER for a NOT guilty verdict in Cause #2082382

Driving While Intoxicated (.075) second offense

the charge – did then and there unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated and was previously convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2008

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/15/17 – County Court at Law #1

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

Congratulations to Prosecutor KIM IKEGBUNAM for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2102893

Prostitution

the charge – unlawfully based upon the payment of a fee agree to engage in sexual intercourse with another

 Sentence – 90 days in Jail + $1000 Fine 

March 15, 2017

JUDGE RETIRING

JUDGE LARRY STANDLEY TO RETIRE IN 2018

03/15/17 – County Court at Law #6 Judge Larry Standley reports on Facebook that he will not seek or accept the nomination for another term as judge for the 2018 election.   I have known Larry Standley since our law school days at South Texas College of Law – Houston.  We practiced together as assistant D.A’s.  under Johnny Holmes.  I have practiced law in his court for many years.  Judge Standley has been an excellent judge and a  credit to the bench.  We will miss his unique and entertaining qualities.  I wish him well after he retires and thank him for his many years of service to Harris County.    Best of luck “big guy.”

 MANDATE OF AFFIRMANCE   03/13/17 – 14th Court of Appeals

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor MOLLY WURZER for the mandate of affirmance in Cause #1429774 out of the 183rd District Court

Possession of a Controlled Substance

 Reinstating 7 years in Prison 

 GUILTY VERDICT    03/10/17 – 176th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutors DANIELLE UHER and MEREDITH PIERCE (pictured) for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1466251

Capital Murder

the charge – in the course of committing and attempting to commit a robbery, intentionally cause the death by shooting the complainant with a firearm

 Sentence – Life in Prison Without Parole 

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/10/17 – County Court at Law #2

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney BRETT PODOLSKY for a NOT guilty verdict in Cause #2096989

Assault on a Family Member

the charge – intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to a family member by pushing the complainant with his hand

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/08/17 – County Court at Law #13

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor KIM IKEGBUNAM for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2079211

Driving While Intoxicated (.193)

the charge – did then and there unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 1 year Probation 

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/08/17 – 180th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor CHERYL CHAPELL for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1450507

Indecency with a Child

the charge – engage in sexual contact with a child under seventeen years old, not the spouse by touching her genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desire

 Sentence – 4 years in Prison 

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/08/17 – 177th District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutors MEREDITH PIERCE (pictured) and LUKE BATY for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1480827 and Cause #1480828

Aggravated Assault on a Family Member,     Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly threaten complainant, a member of defendant’s household, with imminent bodily injury by using or exhibiting a firearm”and ” unlawfully intentionally and knowingly threaten another complainant with imminent bodily injury by using or exhibiting a firearm

 Sentence – 10 years Probation and a $5000 Fine 

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/08/17 – County Court at Law #8

 

Congratulations to GARRETT MOORE for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2078496

Driving While Intoxicated (.116)

the charge – did then and there unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated.

 Sentence – 1 year Probation 

 GUILTY VERDICT    03/08/17 – County Court at Law #9

 

Congratulations to BRADEN RILEY for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2091664

Deadly Conduct

the charge – unlawfully recklessly engage in conduct that placed complainant in imminent danger of serious bodily injury by driving a motor vehicle in the direction of the complainant and striking the complainant with the motor vehicle

 Sentence – 18 months Probation + 5 days in Jail + $2000 Fine 

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/07/17 – County Court at Law #10

 

Congratulations to GRACE MURPHY for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2112540

Indecent Exposure

the charge – unlawfully expose his anus to complainant with the intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desire and was reckless as to whether or not another person was present who might be offended and alarmed by his act of exposing his anus while masturbating in a public place

 Sentence – 4 days in Jail + register as a sex offender 

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/07/17 – County Court at Law #11

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JIM BUTLER for a NOT guilty verdictin Cause #2087518

Driving While Intoxicated (.119)

the charge – did then and there unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated and had an open container of alcoholic beverage in his immediate possession

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/07/17 – County Court at Law #2

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney ENRIQUE RAMIREZ for a NOT guilty verdict in Cause #2018233

Assault on a Family Member

the charge – intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to complainant with whom defendant has a dating relationship by pushing the complainant and striking the complainant with a purse

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/07/17 – County Court at Law #7

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JOSE CANTU, JR. for a NOT guilty verdict in Cause #2107666

Driving While Intoxicated (no-test introduced)

the charge – did then and there unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated.

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/03/17 – 183rd District Court

 

Congratulations to Special Prosecutors JIM MOUNT, JOHN “BILLY” BELK and BRIAN WICE for their Guilty verdict in Cause #1449535

Theft by a Public Servant over $200,000

the charge – unlawfully while a public servant, namely an investigator for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office appropriate by exercising control over property – comic books – without the effective consent of the complainant and the value of the comic books was over $200,000 with the intent to deprive the complainant of his property and the comics came into defendants possession by virtue of his status as a public servant

 Sentence –  5 years Prison and $5000 Fine 

NEWSWORTHY CASE 03/03/17

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/03/17 – 177th District Court

 

Congratulations to TIM BALLENGEE for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1415869

Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance

the charge – unlawfully knowingly possess with intent to deliver methamphetamine weighing at least 400 grams and used or exhibited a firearm

 Sentence – 25 years in Prison + $100,000 Fine 

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT    03/03/17 – 174th District Court

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney DUSTAN NEYLAND with the assistance of Defense Attorney DREW PRISNER for a NOT guilty verdict in Cause #1441374

Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly threaten imminent bodily injury to the complainant who was a public servant by using or exhibiting a firearm

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/02/17 – 263rd District Court

 

Congratulations to Prosecutor ALLISON BUESS for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1401937

Murder

the charge – unlawfully knowingly cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a firearm

 Sentence – 60 years in Prison 

 NOT GUILTY VERDICT   03/02/17 – County Court at Law #15

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney LUCIO MONTES for a NOT guilty verdict in Cause # 2092533

Deadly Conduct

the charge – unlawfully recklessly engage in conduct that placed complainant in imminent danger of serious bodily injury by pointing a firearm in his direction and discharging the firearm

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/02/17 – County Court at Law #8

 

Congratulations to GARRETT MOORE for a Guilty verdict in Cause #2118808

Driving While Intoxicated (.11)

the charge – operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated

 Sentence – 90 days in jail 

 GUILTY VERDICT   03/02/17 – 177th District Court

 

Congratulations to Lead Prosecutor JAMIE BURRO and Prosecutor JASON SANCHEZ for a Guilty verdict in Cause #1464213

Capital Murder

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing robbery intentionally cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a firearm

 Sentence – Life in Prison without Parole