Site icon Show Me The Justice

Courthouse News – July 2017

  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

CLICK2HOUSTON

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

FOX26NEWS

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

Tyler Flood and Associates

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

CLICK2HOUSTON

 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

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE

 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. 

 

AmericanAthleticConference

May 23, 2017

2017 – WHAT A COMEBACK IN GAME 1!! Defense Attorney James Padgett‘s son – Houston​ Cougars Sophomore Grayson Padgett – hit a 3-run pinch hit home run in the bottom of the 8th to give the cougars a 6-5 victory over Memphis.  Maybe professional baseball for this athlete?  I’ll bet James is very proud!

 

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.

 

 

 

Exit mobile version