Courthouse News – June 2017

   GUILTY VERDICT Chandler Raine

06/29/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors CHANDLER RAINE (top) and DREW ROUNTREE (bottom) for a Guilty verdict in the 183rd District Court  – Cause #1491611

Aggravated Assault

 

   GUILTY VERDICTDrew Rountree the charge – unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by striking the complainant with a motor vehicle and the defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a motor vehicle 

 Sentence –  7.5 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge –  Vanessa Velasquez 

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTStephen Touchstone    06/29/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney STEPHEN TOUCHSTONE for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #5 – Cause #2071483

Driving While Intoxicated (.11)

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

Presiding Judge –  Margaret Harris

   GUILTY VERDICT

06/28/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor SARA SIEGEL for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #2  – Cause #2102412

 

Indecent Exposure

the charge – unlawfully expose his genitals to the complainant, with the intent to arouse and gratify his sexual desire, and the defendant was reckless about whether another person was present who would be offended and alarmed by the act, to wit: the defendant exposed his male sexual organ and masturbated in a  public place

 Sentence –  20 Days in Jail  

Presiding Judge –  Bill Harmon

   GUILTY VERDICT Steve Belt

06/28/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEVE BELT for a Guilty verdict in the 180th District Court  – Cause #1509512 and Cause #1509513

Felon in Possession of a Weapon

Possession of a Controlled Substance

the charges – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess a firearm at a location other than the premises at which the defendant lived,  after being convicted of the felony offense of felon in possession of a firearm on July 11, 2007 AND unlawfully knowingly possess a controlled substance, namely cocaine weighing more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams by aggregate weight, including any adulterants and dilutants

 Sentence –  8 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge –  Catherine Evans

   GUILTY VERDICT Jennifer Stabe

06/28/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors JENNIFER STABE (top) and JANNA OSWALD (bottom) for a Guilty verdict in the 232nd District Court  – Cause #1435999

Sexual Abuse of a Child

the charge – unlawfully, during a period of time or 30 days or more in duration, commit at least two acts of sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years of age, including an act constituting the    GUILTY VERDICTJanna Oswald offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child, committed against the complainant on or about April 13, 2012, and an act constituting the offense of aggravated sexual assault committed against complainant on or about June 8, 2013 and the defendant was at least 17 years of age at the time of the commission of each of those acts

 Sentence –  35 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge –  Mike Wilkinson 

   GUILTY VERDICT Lindsey Hovland

06/28/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors LINDSEY HOVLAND (pictured) and ROBERT DE LOS REYES for a Guilty verdict in the 177th District Court  – Cause #1513928

Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance

the charge – unlawfully knowingly possess with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine, weighing more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams by aggregate weight, including any adulterants and dilutants

 Sentence –  25 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge –  Robert Johnson

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTJayson Booth    06/28/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney  JAYSON BOOTH for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #12 – Cause #2097680

Possession of a Gambling Device

the charge – unlawfully with intent to further gambling, knowingly possess a gambling device, namely Pot-O-Gold,  that he knows is designed for gambling purposes

Presiding Judge –  Sherman Ross

   GUILTY VERDICT Danny Werlinger

06/28/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor DANNY WERLINGER for a Guilty verdict in the 208th District Court  – Cause #1540170

 

Capital Murder

CHANNEL 13 NEWS

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant, a person under 10 years of age, by striking the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a blunt object, by striking the complainant against a deadly weapon, namely a blunt object, and by striking the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a hand

 Sentence –  Life in Prison   

Presiding Judge –  Denise Collins

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTJorge Cantu    06/27/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JORGE CANTU for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #2 – Cause #2071293

Assault of a Family Member

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

Presiding Judge –  Bill Harmon

   GUILTY VERDICT Sharica Gray

06/27/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor SHARICA GRAY for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #10 – Cause #2127814

 

Fraud – Price Tag Switching

the charge – unlawfully with the intent to defraud and harm another, namely the complainant, substitute the verity of a writing, other than a government record, to wit: a price tag by switching the price tag with merchandise with less value

 Sentence – 3 Days in Jail   

Presiding Judge –  Dan Spjut

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTEmily Detoto    06/27/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney EMILY DETOTO for a Not Guilty verdict in the 263rd District Court – Cause #1375123.  Her client – represented by a different attorney – originally plead GUILTY to the charge and without an agreed recommendation received 15 years TDC after a PSI Hearing.  Emily then signed onto the case, filed a motion for a new trial and got that new trial.  With the assistance of Defense Attorney PAUL MORGAN they were able to secure a Not Guilty verdict!

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTPaul Morgan   

Injury to a Chlld

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause serious bodily injury to the complainant, a child younger than 15 years of age, by shaking the complainant with his hand and by a manner and means unknown

Presiding Judge – Jim Wallace

   GUILTY VERDICT Kimberly Smith

06/27/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor KIMBERLY SMITH for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #8 – Cause #2120891

 

Assault of a Family Member

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

 Sentence –  MAXIMUM –  1 Year in Jail   

Presiding Judge –  Jay Karahan

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/27/17

Defendant: Carlos Ayala

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

INDECENCY WITH A CHILD

Cause #1544296 – 184th District Court

Carlos Jose Ayala is accused of groping girls ages 7 to 15 in the Denver Harbor area

sexually assaulting 10 young girls walking to and from school

Court Date: 06/27/17  DISPOSITION:  reset to 08/04/17

 

 

Circa 2010 – Remember when our very own Houston Defense Lawyer Ed Chernoff represented Dr. Conrad Murray – the person held responsible for the death of Michael Jackson?   Here is an interview Ed had with Matt Lauer concerning his client, Dr. Conrad Murray.

 

   GUILTY VERDICT

06/22/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor LAUREN CLEMONS  for a Guilty verdict in the 262nd District Court – Cause #1522818

Murder

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly commit the felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle by intentionally and knowingly operating an automobile owned by complainant, without the effective consent of the complainant, and while in the course of and in furtherance of the commission and immediate flight from the commission of said offense did commit an act clearly dangerous to human life, to wit: failing to control speed, disregarding a traffic control device, failing to yield right of way, failing to yield to emergency vehicles, by driving his motor vehicle into and causing it to collide with a motor vehicle occupied by complainant #2  causing the death of complainant #2, and defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely an automobile during the commission of said offense (more alleged in indictment)

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

 Sentence –  18 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge – Belinda Hill

   GUILTY VERDICTStephany Urrea

06/21/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEPHANY URREA for a Guilty verdict in the 177th District Court – Cause #1471654

Aggravated Sexual Assault

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the sexual organ of the complainant, by placing his sexual organ in the sexual organ of the complainant, without the consent of the complainant, namely the defendant compelled the complainant to submit and participate by the use of physical force and violence

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE 

 Sentence –  99 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge – Terry Flenniken

   GUILTY VERDICT

06/21/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor RYAN KENT for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #6 – Cause #2110236

 

Driving While Intoxicated (.10)

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

 Sentence –  1 Year Probation/$300 Fine   

Presiding Judge – Larry Standley

   GUILTY VERDICT Courtney Kovach

06/20/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors COURTNEY KOVACH (pictured) and BRITNEY JACKSON for a Guilty verdict in the 339th District Court – Cause #1448558

Murder

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by stabbing the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a knife

Channel 13 News

 Sentence –  55 Years in Prison   

Presiding Judge – Maria Jackson

   GUILTY VERDICT Braden Riley

06/20/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor BRADEN RILEY for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #9 – Cause #2109477

Assault

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

 Sentence –  30 Days in Jail then 2 Years Probation/$500 Fine/$1000 restitution to the Complainant    

Presiding Judge – Analia Wilkerson

   GUILTY VERDICT Kaitlin Kaufmann

06/20/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor KAITLIN KAUFMANN for a Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court –  Cause #1435636

Possession of a Controlled Substance

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess a controlled substance, namely phencyclidine, weighing at least 400 grams by aggregate weight including any adulterants and dilutants

 Sentence –  10 Years Probation and a $100,000 Fine    

Presiding Judge – Wayne Mallia

   GUILTY VERDICTStewanna Miskell

06/20/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEWANNA MISKELL for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #7 – Cause #2145707

 

Assault of a Family Member

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a person with whom the defendant had a dating relationship, by grabbing the complainant’s arm with his hand and by pushing the complainant with his hand

 Sentence –  140 Days in Jail    

Presiding Judge – Pam Derbyshire

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/20/17

Defendant: Laquita Lewis

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

CAPITAL MURDER

Cause #1555746 – 339th District Court

Mom allegedly stabs and kills her 4-year-old daughter

Next Court date: 06/20/17  DISPOSITION:   reset to 08/02/17

Mandate AffirmanceBridget Holloway

06/19/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor BRIDGET HOLLOWAY for writing the appellate brief that resulted in the affirmance of a conviction in the 185th District Court – Cause #1450961

Arson    No. 14-15-00834-CR

 Sentence –  6 Years in Prison Reinstated   

June 19, 2017  COURTHOUSE NUGGET

NEW COURTHOUSE BIKE STATION OPENS

 

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee along with Harris County District Clerk Chris Daniels on hand to dedicate the new bike station located across the street from the Harris County Criminal Courthouse.

 

   GUILTY VERDICTMario Ciccinetti

06/16/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor MARIO CICCONETTI for a Guilty verdict in the 174th District Court – Cause #1470978

 

Burglary of a Habitation

the charge – unlawfully with the intent to commit an assault, enter a habitation owned by the complainant, a person having a greater right to possession of the habitation than the defendant, and without the effective consent of the complainant, without any consent of any kind

 Sentence –  45 Years in Prison    

Presiding Judge – Hazel Jones

 

   GUILTY VERDICT

06/16/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor RACHELL HUNT for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #16 – Cause #2121646

Driving While Intoxicated (.14)

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

 Sentence –  11 Days in Jail   

   GUILTY VERDICT Vanessa Goussen

06/16/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor VANESSA GOUSSEN for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #8 -Cause #2124534

 

Failure to Stop and Give Information

the charge – unlawfully while driving and operating a vehicle, was involved in an accident resulting only in damage to another vehicle which was driven  by the complainant, and the defendant intentionally and knowingly failed to stop his vehicle at the scene of the accident,  and as close to the scene of the accident as possible, failed to return to the scene of the accident and failed to remain at the scene of the accident until the defendant had given his name and address to the complainant,  and the damage to the vehicle involved in the accident resulted in the pecuniary loss of the value of at least two hundred dollars

 Sentence –  2 Days in Jail   

   GUILTY VERDICT Stephen Driver  06/16/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEPHEN DRIVER for a Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court – Cause #1451265

Capital Murder

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

 Sentence –  Life in Prison  

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTBrian Benken    06/16/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney BRIAN BENKEN for a Not Guilty verdict in the 208th District Court – Cause #1460804

Sexual Assault

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the sexual organ of the complainant, by placing his penis in the sexual organ of the complainant, without the consent of the complainant, namely the defendant compelled the complainant to submit and participate by the use of physical force and violence

    GUILTY VERDICTJanie Korah   06/16/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor JANIE KORAH for a Guilty verdict in the 182nd District Court – Cause #1500184

Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance

the charge – unlawfully knowingly possess with the intent to deliver a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine weighing more than 200 grams and less than 400 grams by aggregate weight, including any adulterants and dilutants

 Sentence –  25 Years in Prison  

   GUILTY VERDICT   06/16/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor CRISTINA PLATTER for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #3 – Cause #2103685

Driving While Intoxicated (.152)

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

 Sentence –  1 Year Probation and a $500 Fine  

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/16/17

Defendant: David Temple

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

CHANNEL 2 – 05/05/17

MURDER

Cause #1008763 – 178th District Court

Katy football star and Alief coach David Temple was found guilty of the cold-blooded murder of Belinda and her unborn 8-month-old baby Erin.  He won his appeal and is on bond waiting for a decision by the DA on retrial.

Katy coach David Temple murder conviction and possible retrial

Next Court date: 06/16/17  DISPOSITION:   reset to 07/14/17

    GUILTY VERDICTMikeyia Dawkins   06/15/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor MIKEYIA DAWKINS for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #14 – Cause #2122592

Possession of Prohibited Weapon

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess knuckles

 Sentence –  1 Year Probation – $300 Fine  

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTEmily Shelton    06/15/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney EMILY SHELTON for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #14-Cause #2122591

Racing

the charge – unlawfully while operating a motor vehicle on a highway intentionally and knowingly participate in a drag race, to wit: the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTBetsy Stukes    06/15/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney BETSY STUKES for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #11-Cause #2114517

Assault of a Family Member

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a member of the defendant’s family, a member of the defendant’s household and a person with whom the defendant had a dating relationship by striking the complainant with his hand

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT Javier Martinez   06/15/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JAVIER MARTINEZ for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #11-Cause #2114517

Assault of a Family Member

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a member of the defendant’s family, a member of the defendant’s household and a person with whom the defendant had a dating relationship by striking the complainant with his hand

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT    06/15/17

Congratulations to Switch-Hitting Prosecutor GILBERT SAWTELLE for a Not Guilty verdict on his Municipal Parking Violation.  With the assistance from some of his friends at the DA’s office he was able to beat the rap and get a taste of how it feels to hear those two magical words – NOT GUILTY!   Gilbert, on this one bright and shining day, the defense lawyers of Houston are proud of you!

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT Brandon Ball   06/14/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney BRANDON BALL for a Not Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court-Cause #1466030

Burglary of a Habitation

the charge – unlawfully without the effective consent of the owner, namely without any consent of any kind, intentionally enter a habitation owned by the complainant, a person having a greater right of possession of the habitation than the defendant, and commit and attempt to commit assault of the complainant

    GUILTY VERDICT   06/14/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor RYAN VOLKMER for a Guilty verdict in the 180th District Court-Cause #1481651

Robbery

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by the complainant and with the intent to obtain and maintain control over the property, intentionally and knowingly threaten and place the complainant in fear of imminent bodily injury and death by passing the complainant a demand note, redirecting the complainant to the demand note and obscuring the defendant’s hand in the defendant’s clothes as if possessing a weapon

 Sentence –  35 Years in Prison   

June 14, 2017   COURTHOUSE NUGGET

I have known Judge Jay Karahan (Harris County Criminal Court at Law #8) for over 30 years and in all that time I had no idea he had such a beautiful singing voice.   Mild-mannered in the courtroom, he can belt out the national anthem as well as Jim Nabors used to sing in the “Gomer Pyle” TV series.  Apparently, Judge has been taking lessons since high school and is still taking voice lessons to keep his singing voice ready for the next invitation to sing.  If you feel patriotic and love the Astros, listen to Judge Jay Karahan’s rendition of our national anthem sung at Minutemaid Park.

  MID-TRIAL DISMISSALMark Thiessen    06/13/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney MARK THIESSEN for a mid-trial dismissal after the jury was seated and two witnesses called to the stand in County Court at Law #8-Cause #2116770

Driving While Intoxicated (.10)

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

June 13, 2017  COURTHOUSE NEWS

John Hernandez Protest RallyProtestors rally outside the Harris County Criminal Courthouse for their deceased friend John HernandezDeputy Chauna Thompson and her husband Terry Thompson are being arraigned in the 178th District Court this morning for the alleged murder of John. (See below Newsworthy Case).

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/13/17

Defendant: Chauna and Terry Thompson

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

MURDER

Cause #1554589 (Chauna) and #1554590 (Terry)  178th District Court

An fight between Terry Thompson and John Hernandez ensues over John urinating outside a Denny’s restaurant.  Terry’s wife, deputy Chauna Thompson arrives at the scene in a different vehicle

deputy and husband charged with choking John Hernandez to death

Court Date: 06/12/17   DISPOSITiON:  reset to 07/14/17

June 12, 2017  NUGGET

Judge and Brother Edge Out Young-Gun Prosecutors

County Court at Law #10 Judge Dan Spjut (far right) and his brother, HPD Lt. Tom Spjut (far left) beat County Court at Law #10 Prosecutors DeJean Cleggett (second left) and former high-school basketball star Sarah Massoud (back middle) in a friendly game of basketball by the score of 11-9.   The prosecutors are looking for a rematch after the relatively older brother duo  spanked them with some lucky 3’s. Also playing in the second game were Chief Prosecutors Lindsey Hovland (second right) and Christine Lu (front and center – with the best shorts) and Christine’s boyfriend Ryan (not pictured).  All fun and games until you get beat by a couple of dads.  You’ll get’em next time DeJean and Sarah!  (Thanks for the picture DeJean!)

    GUILTY VERDICTSteve Walsh   06/09/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor STEVE WALSH for a Guilty verdict in the 176th District Court-Cause #1488875

 

Aggravated Assault

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by shooting the complainant with a firearm, and the defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence –  4 Years Probation   

June 9, 2017  COURTHOUSE NUGGET

Harris County Assistant DA Enters Private Practice

Jante' Langon

 

 Jante’ Langan, an assistant district attorney for Harris County for the past two years has entered private practice.  After leaving the DA’s office she took a break from work and spent some quality time with her two lovely daughters.   Jante’ has fourteen trials under her belt and looks forward to experiencing trial work on the other side of the fence.  I saw Jante’ on her second day as a private attorney and she was gracious enough to allow me to take a photo.  Jante’, I wish you all the best in your next chapter!  Enjoy the freedom!

NUGGETFrom the TDCAA weekly case summaries

 

Issue:

Does a warrantless search of a college dorm room at the request of the dorm’s RA who discovered the drugs in the room during a routine inspection, constitute a violation of the Fourth Amendment?

Holding:

Yes. Students enjoy the same Fourth Amendment protection in their dorm rooms as any other citizen in a private home. Although dorm personnel have the authority to enter dorm rooms themselves to perform health and safety inspections, they do not have the authority to give police officers consent to enter dorm rooms.

A very interesting and thorough read from our Court of Criminal Appeals concerning search and seizure laws.   No. PD-1391-15

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/09/17

Defendant: Harvey Jones

HOUSTON CHRONICLE 03/30/17

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

Cause #1545601  338th District Court

An argument over people sitting on stairs sparked the shooting that left two dead and four in critical condition — including

a former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant

Next Court Date: 06/09/17   DISPOSITiON:  reset to 07/10/17

    GUILTY VERDICTCheryl Chappell   06/08/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor CHERYL CHAPPELL for a Guilty verdict in the 180th District Court-Cause #1470980

 

Aggravated Robbery

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by the complainant, and with the intent to obtain and maintain control of the property, intentionally and knowingly threaten and place the complainant in fear of imminent bodily injury and death, and the defendant did then and there use and exhibit a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence –  30 Years in Prison   

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT Jane Vara   06/08/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorneys DIANA OLVERA and JANE VARA (pictured) for a Not Guilty verdict in the 338th District Court-Cause #1302581

Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child

the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the female sexual organ of the complainant, a person younger than 14 years of age and not the spouse of the defendant, by placing his sexual organ into the sexual organ of the complainant

June 8, 2017  COURTHOUSE NUGGET

Well-Respected and Seasoned ADA enters Private Practice

 

Dan Simons, an assistant district attorney in Harris County for the past 3 1/2 years just entered private practice this week.   Dan has taken a job with famed DWI expert and Houston Defense Attorney Mark Thiessen and will be handling criminal cases for Mark’s firm.  Dan always treated me tough but fair, he  dismissed cases when warranted and proceeded with cases that he believed to be in the best interests of the state.  Dan tried 30 misdemeanor and 13 felony cases during his tenure with the DA’s office.  He brings a lot of experience to the other side of the fence.  I wish him well in his new career.

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTTonya Rolland-McLaughlin    06/07/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney TONYA ROLLAND-MCLAUGHLIN for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #9-Cause #2100716

Driving While Intoxicated (.17)

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

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT Lizet Diaz   06/07/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney LIZET DIAZ for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #8-Cause #2117713

Assault of a Family Member

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

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT    06/07/17

 

Congratulations to Defense Attorney CARLOS RODRIGUEZ for a Not Guilty verdict in the 208th District Court – Cause #1473033

Aggravated Assault

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

    GUILTY VERDICT Tiffany Dupree  06/06/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor TIFFANY DUPREE  for a Guilty verdict in the 263rd District Court-Cause #1507959

Capital Murder

the charge – unlawfully during the same criminal transaction, intentionally and knowingly cause the death of complainant #1 and complainant #2 by shooting with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence –  Life in Prison   

Click2Houston

    GUILTY VERDICT Gavin Ellis  06/06/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor GAVIN ELLIS for a Guilty verdict in the 263rd District Court- Cause #1507959

Capital Murder

the charge – unlawfully during the same criminal transaction, intentionally and knowingly cause the death of complainant #1 and complainant #2 by shooting with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence –  Life in Prison   

Click2Houston

    GUILTY VERDICT   06/06/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors JOHN CRUMP and NICOLE CLARK for a Guilty verdict in the 351st District Court –  Cause #1493328

Aggravated Robbery

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by the complainant, and with the intent to obtain and maintain control of the property, intentionally, knowingly and recklessly cause bodily injury to the complainant and the defendant did then and there use and exhibit a deadly weapon, namely a knife

 Sentence –  20 Years in Prison   

    GUILTY VERDICT   06/06/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors CASEY GOODMAN and RYAN MCLEAREN for a Guilty verdict in the 209th District Court – Cause #1458269

Aggravated Robbery

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by the complainant, and with the intent to obtain and maintain control of the property, intentionally and knowingly threaten and place the complainant in fear of imminent bodily injury and death, and the defendant did then and there use and exhibit a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence –  35 Years in Prison   

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTMelissa Morris-Crockrom    06/06/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney MELISSA MORRIS-CROCKROM for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #3 – Cause #2094799

Driving While Intoxicated (.11)

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

    GUILTY VERDICTClaire O'Donnell   06/06/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors CLAIRE O’DONNELL (pictured) and LUIS BATARSE (not pictured) for a Guilty verdict in the 179th District Court – Cause #1460616

Aggravated Robbery

the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by the complainant, and with the intent to obtain and maintain control of the property, intentionally threaten and place the complainant in fear of imminent bodily injury and death, and the defendant did then and there use and exhibit a deadly weapon, namely a firearm

 Sentence –  180 Days in Jail and 10 Years of Probation   

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/06/17

Defendant: David Temple

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

CHANNEL 2  NEWS

MURDER

Cause #1008763 – 178th District Court

Katy football star and Alief coach David Temple was found guilty of the cold-blooded murder of Belinda and her unborn 8-month-old baby Erin.  He won his appeal and is on bond waiting for a decision by the DA on retrial.

Katy coach David Temple murder conviction and possible retrial

Next Court date: 06/06/17  DISPOSITION:   reset to 06/16/17

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/06/17

Defendant: Denise Coronado

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

 

COMPELLING PROSTITUTION

Cause #1544489 – 176th District Court

A 14-year-old girl was taken off the street, held against her will then forced into prostitution with at least 12 men

14-year old forced into prostitution

Court Date: 06/06/17  DISPOSITION:   reset to 07/06/17

    GUILTY VERDICT Will Cowardin  06/02/17

Congratulations to Prosecutors WILL COWARDIN (pictured) and AARON CHAPMAN for a Guilty verdict in the 177th District Court – Cause #1510607

Directing Activities of Certain Criminal Street Gang

the charge – on or about June 30, 2014 continuing through June 18, 2015 unlawfully as part of the identifiable leadership of a criminal street gang, knowingly finance, direct, and supervise the commission of the offenses of aggravated robbery and a felony,  during the commission of which a deadly weapon was used and exhibited, and a felony,  during the immediate flight from which a deadly weapon was used and exhibited by members of said criminal street gang

 Sentence –  55 Years in Prison   

CHANNEL 13 NEWS

NUGGET

06/02/17 – Of the 2181 defendants set on the misdemeanor and felony court dockets on Friday, June 2, 2017 441 defendants appeared in court WITHOUT legal representation.  That is 20%!

    GUILTY VERDICT   06/01/17

Congratulations to Prosecutor JAMES HU for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #16-Cause #2143940

 

Theft – $100 – $750

the charge – unlawfully appropriate by acquiring and otherwise exercising control over property, namely one thermostat and one lighting hub owned by complainant of the value of over $100 and less than $750 with the intent to deprive the complainant of the property

 Sentence –  2 Years Probation   

  NOT GUILTY VERDICTSean Darvishi    06/01/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney SEAN DARVISHI  for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #4-Cause #2140127

Assault

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

  NOT GUILTY VERDICT Justin Harris   06/01/17

Congratulations to Defense Attorney JUSTIN HARRIS for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #4-Cause #2140127

Assault

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

NUGGET 06/01/17

On June 1, 2017 48 defendants failed to appear in the county or district courts for their criminal cases.  Their bonds were forfeited and warrants issued for their arrest.  The total amount of bonds forfeited was $332,500.

NEWSWORTHY CASE 06/01/17

Defendant: Antonio Armstrong, Jr.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

CAPITAL MURDER 

Case #1546111 – 178th District Court

a 16-year-old accused of killing his parents

Texas A&M University football star Antonio Armstrong and wife, Dawn Armstrong

Next Court Date: 06/1/17     DISPOSITION:   reset to 07/26/17