NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/31/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney TIFFANY HILL for a Not Guilty verdict in the 176th District Court – Cause #1484553
Assault Family Violence
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 – Nikita Harmon
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/28/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JOSEPH SANCHEZ for a Guilty verdict in the 338th District Court – Cause #1508650
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 over 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 exhibit a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 60 Day in Jail and 10 Years Probation
Presiding Judge – Ramona Franklin
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/28/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors AMANDA BENAVIDES (pictured) and CARA BURTON for a Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court – Cause #1459106
Criminal Negligent Homicide
the charge – unlawfully by criminal negligence cause the death of the complainant by discharging a firearm in the direction and in close proximity of the complainant
Sentence – 4 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Kelli Johnson
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/28/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney DASEAN JONES for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #11 – Cause #2112756
His client was convicted by a jury on 05/02/17 and sentenced to 300 days in jail. With the assistance of Public Defender Sarah Wood, who filed the brief for New Trial, the defendant was granted a new trial on 07/14/17 and acquitted on 07/28/17.
Carrying a Weapon
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly carry on or about his person a handgun in a motor vehicle under the control of the defendant and the defendant was a member of a criminal gang and the defendant had been previously convicted of carrying a weapon
Presiding Judge – Diane Bull
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/28/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney THOMAS JOHNSON for a Not Guilty verdict in the 339th District Court – Cause #1513902
Assault Family Violence – Second Offender
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a member of the defendant’s family, by striking the complainant with his hand; by pulling the complainant’s hair with his hand
Presiding Judge – Maria Jackson
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/28/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor CHRIS CONDON for a Guilty verdict in the 337th District Court – Cause #1504556
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 – 15 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Herb Ritchie
07/28/17 Start your weekend off with a little music from Death by Injection. Members: Foreground – Prosecutor David Mitcham (guitar, singer), Defense Attorney Glenn Gotschall (guitar, singer), Defense Attorney Doug O’Brien (guitar), Background – Prosecutor Bill Delmore (bass), retired HPD Homicide Detective Hal Kennedy (drums)
SECRET AGENT MAN
BROWN-EYED GIRL
MID-TRIAL DISMISSAL
07/27/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorneys JED SILVERMAN (top) and TRINIDAD ZAMORA for a Mid-Trial Dismissal due to the suppression of evidence in County Court at Law #8 – Cause #2098418
Driving While Intoxicated (.20)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
MID-TRIAL DISMISSAL
Presiding Judge – Jay Karahan
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/27/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney JOE WELLS for a Not Guilty verdict in the 232nd District Court – Cause #1556497
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by stabbing the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a knife (also alleged were 3 other means that caused the death)
Presiding Judge – Terry Flenniken
COURTHOUSE NUGGET (current as of August 23, 2017)
Here is an updated list of the individuals who have recently filed an appointment of treasurer with Stan Stanart’s office to become a Harris County misdemeanor judge for 2018 (incumbent in green – 4 judges that are retiring are not included):
CCL1: Paula Goodhart (incumbent), Hector A. Salgado
CCL2: Bill Harmon (incumbent), Harold Landreneau
CCL3: Natalie Fleming (incumbent)
CCL4: John Clinton (incumbent), Shannon B. Baldwin
CCL5: (OPEN BENCH ) Aaron Burdette, David M. Fleischer, Xavier Alfaro, Jessica Needham Padilla, Armen Merjanian
CCL6: (OPEN BENCH) John J. Wakefield, Kelley L. Andrews, Lori A. Botello, Linda Garcia
CCL7: Pam Derbyshire (incumbent), Frank P. Pierce, Andrew Wright
CCL8: Jay Karahan (incumbent), Franklin G. Bynum
CCL9: Analia Wilkerson (incumbent), Toria Finch
CCL10: Dan Spjut (incumbent), Lee H. Wilson
CCL11: Diane Bull (incumbent), Gus Saper
CCL12: (OPEN BENCH) Juan J. Aguirre, John H. Spjut
CCL13: Don Smyth (incumbent), Raul Rodriguez
CCL14: Mike Fields (incumbent), David Singer
CCL15: (OPEN BENCH) Stephen Touchstone, Kris S. Ougrah, Samuel R. Bridgwater, Tonya Jones
GUILTY VERDICT
07/26/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor LUCAS BATY for a Guilty verdict in the 177th District Court – Cause #1457350
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, without the effective consent of the complainant, namely without any consent of any kind
Sentence – 30 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Robert Johnson
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/26/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney TYLER FLOOD for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #3 – Cause #2058323
Driving While Intoxicated (.133)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Presiding Judge – Natalie Fleming
REVERSE & REMAND
07/25/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney MATT HORAK for a Reversal of a Guilty verdict in the 174th District Court – Cause #0482220
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
On 02/11/16 the jury convicted the defendant and sentenced him to 45 years in prison. Matt’s appeal to the Fourteenth Court of Appeals – No-14-16-00242-CR resulted in a reversal and a remand to the court for a new trial.
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/25/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors BRITNI COOPER (top) and JONATHAN MILLER for a Guilty verdict in the 230th District Court – Cause #1533756
Injury to the Elderly
GUILTY VERDICT 
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, and individual who was at least 65 years of age, by striking the complainant with her hand
Sentence – 8 Years Probation with 120 Days in Jail
Presiding Judge – Brad Hart
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/25/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney MICHAEL TURNER for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #11 – Cause #2127464
Assault
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to he complainant by choking the complainant with his hands
Presiding Judge – Diane Bull
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/25/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor ANDREW FIGLIUZZI for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #5 – Cause #2076646
Driving While Intoxicated – (.186)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 1 Year Probation
Presiding Judge – Margaret Harris
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/24/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors JENNIFER STABE BATES (pictured) and STUART TALLICHET for a Guilty verdict in the 339th District Court – Cause #1519114
Tampering with a Government Record
the charge – unlawfully knowingly make a false entry in a government record, namely Harris County Constable Office Precinct 6 offense report by stating that he conducted an investigation at a certain location and the actions of the defendant were done with the intent to defraud and harm another
Sentence – 2 Years Probation
Presiding Judge – Maria Jackson
Defense Attorney Corey Gomel has a pretty famous dad! Photojournalist Bob Gomel -as a Life Magazine photographer – captured amazing up-close photos of JFK, the Beatles, Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, RFK, Malcolm X, Warren Beaty, Marilyn Monroe and other famous actors, iconic politicians, famous people, far-away places, sports action shots and unusual settings. Watch this very interesting video that Corey put together for his dad’s 80th birthday and see Bob’s close-up and personal photos like you have never seen before!
GUILTY VERDICT
07/24/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor SARAH MOSS for a Guilty verdict in the 228th District Court – Cause #1554409
Sexual Assault
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the sexual organ of the complainant by placing the defendant’s male sexual organ in the sexual organ of the complainant, namely the defendant compelled the complainant to submit and participate by the use of physical force and violence; and that the defendant had the present ability to execute the threat; and the defendant knew that the complainant was unconscious and physically unable to resist; and the defendant knew that the complainant was unaware that a sexual assault was occurring
Sentence – 10 Years Probation
Presiding Judge – Marc Carter
GUILTY VERDICT
07/24/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JOHN CRUMP for a Guilty verdict in the 351st District Court – Cause #1517569
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 over 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 – 22 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – George Powell
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/21/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors JASON SANCHEZ (pictured) and WILL MEJIA for a Guilty verdict in the 208th District Court – Cause #1464140
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 30 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Tom Price
07/21/17 Felony Prosecutors- Watch your chief as he and the rest of the gang start your weekend off with a little music from Death by Injection. Members: Foreground – Prosecutor David Mitcham (guitar, singer), Defense Attorney Glenn Gotschall (guitar, singer), Defense Attorney Doug O’Brien (guitar), Background – Prosecutor Bill Delmore (bass), retired HPD Homicide Detective Hal Kennedy (drums)
THE LETTER
FOLSOM PRISON BLUES
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/20/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors SARAH SEELEY (pictured) and KATHRYN SCHEFFLER for a Guilty verdict in the 185th District Court – Cause #1494454
Capital Murder
the charge – unlawfully during the same criminal transaction intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant #1 by shooting the complainant #1 with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm and intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant #2 by shooting the complainant #2 with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – Life in Prison
Presiding Judge – Susan Brown
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/20/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor CHEUCK YEE for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #8 – Cause #2111685
Driving While Intoxicated – (.129)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 3 Days in Jail and a $1000 Fine
Presiding Judge – Jay Karahan
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/20/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JULIAN RAMIREZ for a Guilty verdict in the 248th District Court – Cause #1517329
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – Life in Prison
Presiding Judge – Katherine Cabaniss
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/20/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney MAVERICK RAY for a Not Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court – Cause #1487268
Possession of a Controlled Substance
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess a controlled substance, namely cocaine, weighing more then 4 grams and less than 200 grams by aggregate weight, including any adulterants and dilutants
Presiding Judge – Kelli Johnson
07/20/17 Today is the last day for Chief Prosecutor of CCL14 Paul Still. Paul will be moving to Austin in the next couple of weeks to assume the job of Staff Attorney for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Michael Keasler. Paul will be offering legal advice and supervising the clerks. I know I speak for the defense bar when I say that Paul was a pleasure to work with these last few years. He was honorable, fair and professional at all times. We wish you well and will miss you here in Houston! Best of luck!
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/18/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor SARAH NEYLAND for a Guilty verdict in the 338th District Court – Cause #1503083
Evading Arrest with a Vehicle
the charge – unlawfully intentionally flee from the complainant, a peace officer employed by the Houston Police Department, lawfully attempting to detain the defendant, and the defendant knew that the complainant was a peace officer attempting to detain the defendant, and the defendant used a motor vehicle while he was in flight
Sentence – 4 Years of Probation
Presiding Judge – Ramona Franklin
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/18/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney BRIAN COYNE for a Not Guilty verdict in the 184th District Court – Cause #1521461
Assault Family Violence – 2nd Offender
the charge – 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 – Terry Flenniken
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/18/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney ANDREW WRIGHT for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #3 – Cause #2152392
Indecent Exposure
the charge – unlawfully expose his genitals to the complainant with the intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of another person that the defendant sought to arouse, and the defendant was reckless about whether another person was present who would be offended and alarmed by the act, to wit: masturbating in plain view of the complainant
Presiding Judge – Natalie Fleming
NOT GUILTY VERDICT 07/18/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney TYLER FLOOD for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #7 – Cause #2123914
Driving While Intoxicated (.168)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Presiding Judge – Pam Derbyshire
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/17/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor CHANDLER RAINE for a Guilty verdict in the 183rd District Court – Cause #1521065
Possession of a Controlled Substance
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess a controlled substance, namely heroin, 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 – Terry Flenniken
Longtime criminal defense attorney Alan Cohen is a niche art collector of Chinese Propaganda Art. As this video “The Collection” (produced by Bisong Art Gallery) reveals, Alan has been accumulating these types of pieces for over 20 years. Find out from Alan what propaganda art is and how the Communist party used art to communicate with it’s people. Alan also reveals some insights for selecting his art pieces.
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/14/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney KATE FERRELL for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #9 – Cause #2122415
Driving While Intoxicated (.195)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Presiding Judge – Analia Wilkerson
GUILTY VERDICT
07/14/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor RYAN TRASK for a Guilty verdict in the 184th District Court – Cause #1488982
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 75 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Jan Krocker
GUILTY VERDICT
07/14/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor LUIS BATARSE for a Guilty verdict in the 337th District Court – Cause #1490307
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by shooting the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 45 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Herb Ritchie
GUILTY VERDICT
07/14/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor RYAN MCLEAREN for a Guilty verdict in the 262nd District Court – Cause #1511333
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
the charge – unlawfully during a period of time of thirty or more days in duration, commit at least two acts of sexual abuse of a child younger than fourteen years of age, including an act constituting the offense of sexual assault of a child committed against the complainant on November 12, 2014 and an act constituting the offense of sexual assault of a child committed against the complainant on February 1, 2016 and the defendant was at least seventeen years of age at the time of the commission of those acts
Sentence – 50 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Leslie Yates
GUILTY VERDICT
07/14/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor NICOLE CLARK for a Guilty verdict in the 351st District Court – Cause #1482887
Theft $2500 – $30000
the charge – unlawfully appropriate by acquiring and otherwise exercising control over property, namely cash money owned by the complainant, of the value of over $2,500 and under $30,000, with the intent to deprive the complainant of the property
Sentence – 12 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – George Powell
GUILTY VERDICT
07/13/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor ASHLEY GUICE for a Guilty verdict in the 185th District Court – Cause #1412836
Indecency with a Child
the charge – between September 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011, unlawfully engage in sexual contact with the complainant, a person younger than 17 years of age, by touching the genitals of the complainant, with the intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of the defendant
Sentence – 15 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Belinda Hill
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
07/13/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorneys SEAN DARVISHI (top) and CHRIS DENUNA for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #15 – Cause #2132544
Driving While Intoxicated (.084)
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Presiding Judge – Jean Spradling
GUILTY VERDICT
07/13/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JONATHAN MILLER for (2) Guilty verdicts in the 339th District Court – Cause #1504273 and Cause #1504274
Harassment of a Public Servant and Retaliation
the charge – unlawfully with the intent to harass and alarm, cause the complainant whom defendant knew to be a public servant, to contact the saliva of the defendant while the complainant was legally discharging an official duty AND unlawfully intentionally and knowingly harm and threaten to harm the complainant by an unlawful act, namely murder, in retaliation for and on account of the service and status of complainant as a public servant
Sentence – 25 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Jay Burnett
GUILTY VERDICT
07/12/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor SARA KIMBROUGH for a Guilty verdict in the 179th District Court – Cause #1517945
Aggravated Assault with Weapon
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by striking the complainant with a bottle, and the defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a bottle
Sentence – 2 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Randy Roll
GUILTY VERDICT 
07/12/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor BRADEN RILEY for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #9 – Cause #2115482
Driving While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense (No Test)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 135 Days in Jail
Presiding Judge – Analia Wilkerson
Mandate Affirmance
07/11/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JESSICA AKINS for writing the appellate brief that resulted in the affirmance of a conviction in County Criminal Court at Law #4 – Cause #2013442
Disorderly Conduct – Firearm No. 01-16-00059-CR
Sentence – 180 Days in Jail Probated for 90 Days and $2000 Fine Reinstated
2017 – Apparently, Defense Attorney Jim Butler has a very talented daughter. Sophia Butler just competed July 7th at the Hopes Classic held at the USGA 
Woman’s National Training Center-Karolyi Ranch. Sophia won 1st All Around, 1st on Floor, 1st on Vault, 2nd on Bars and 3rd on Vault. She scored a 13.15 on the bars and a 14.0 on the beam where she threw a triple series with a full. The next competition will be in Chicago at the U.S. Secret Classic. Maybe, someday – the Olympics! Pictured with Sophia are (left) coach Juan Corzo, coach Costela Mihaiuc and USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team Coordinator Valeri Liukin. Below is a video shot in 2017 of Sophia on the beam.
2011 – It would appear that Prosecutor Lindsey Hovland (who is now “living the dream”) was quite the leader while attending Trinity college. On April 1, 2011 she received the Trinity University Student Leadership Award for founding an honorary society, serving as president of student athlete advisory committee, participating as a member of the woman’s basketball team, welcoming new members to the team, co-chairing a student organization, representing student ambassadors at alumni board meetings, serving actively in the community and having the leadership qualities worthy of such an award.
May 23, 2017
1986 – As Chief Prosecutor of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Check Fraud Division between 1986 – 1988 I, Jeff Ross had the pleasure of assisting thousands 
of merchants recover restitution due to the passing of “hot checks” to their businesses. Until electronic banking took hold in the early 2000’s, the check was one of the main instruments used to conduct business between consumer and merchant. Below is a clip from my old days at the DA’s office.
February 1986 – 31 years ago the future cover boy of The 2017 Texas Lawyer Magazine – Dan Cogdell – and myself mixed it up in a DWI trial while I was chief of County Court at Law #5. Dan used my good friend Alice Weiser – a certified graphoanalyst – to pick a jury.