GUILTY VERDICT
08/25/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor LINDSEY HOVLAND for a Guilty verdict in the 232nd District Court – Cause #1516523
Aggravated Robbery
the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by the complainant, and with 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 – 10 Years Probation
Presiding Judge – Terry Flenniken
GUILTY VERDICT
08/25/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors MEGAN ELLIOT (top) and KATIE SHEFFIELD for a Guilty verdict in the 351st District Court – Cause #1471756
Aggravated Assault
GUILTY VERDICT
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by shooting the complainant with a firearm
Sentence – 6 Years Prison
Presiding Judge – George Powell
SPREADSHEET
HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL VERDICTS
February 1, 2017 through August 25, 2017
(Editor’s note: These are final verdicts only. What is not shown in the final verdict is the excellent work Defense Attorneys sometimes do for their clients by getting a verdict reduced to a lesser included offense or getting a punishment that is less than the plea bargain offered by the state. Not all trials are about guilt and innocence. To those trial lawyers … a job well done!)
GUILTY VERDICT
08/24/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor COLLEEN BARNETT for a Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court – Cause #1435566
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by stabbing the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a knife
Sentence – 27 Years Prison and $10,000 Fine
Presiding Judge – Kelli Johnson
GUILTY VERDICT
08/24/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor AMANDA BENAVIDES for a Guilty verdict in the 178th District Court – Cause #1470046
Murder
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the death of the complainant by striking the complainant with a knife, by striking with a blunt force object, and by striking with a sharp edged object
Sentence – Life in Prison
Presiding Judge – Leslie Yates
GUILTY VERDICT
08/24/17
Congratulations to Pre-Commitment Prosecutor TIM ADAMS for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #8 – Cause #2133361
Driving While Intoxicated (.13)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 1 Year Probation/$300 Fine
Presiding Judge – Jay Karahan
(Judge Karahan expressed to me his high praise for Tim’s presentation of the case and his argument for a guilty verdict. Judge says he will make an excellent prosecutor. Tim took the bar exam in July and is awaiting the results in early November along with 7 other pre-commitments. Best of luck!)
MID-TRIAL DISMISSAL
08/24/17
Congratulations to Defense Attorney MICHAEL EDWARDS for a Mid-Trial Dismissal in the 262nd District Court – Cause #1522707
Assault on a Family Member – Impede Breathing
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a person with whom the defendant had a dating relationship, by impeding the complainant’s breathing by applying pressure to her neck
Presiding Judge – Denise Bradley
GUILTY VERDICT
08/23/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors BAYOJI AKINGBOLA (top) and BECKY MARSHALL for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #9 – Cause #2131787
GUILTY VERDICT
Assault of a Family Member
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a person with whom the defendant had dating relationship, by striking the complainant with his hand and by biting the complainant with his mouth
Sentence – 1 Year in Jail – (MAXIMUM JAIL)
Presiding Judge – Analia Wilkerson
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorney STEPHEN TOUCHSTONE for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #6 – Cause #2117251
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 in the head with the door and by grabbing the complainant by the arm with his hand
Presiding Judge – Larry Standley
HUNG JURY – DISMISS
Congratulations to Defense Attorney BRYAN SAVOY for a Hung Jury then State Dismissal in the 180th District Court – Cause #1511711
Robbery
the charge – unlawfully while in the course of committing theft of property owned by 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 threatening aggravated assault and death, while concealing his hand as if he was holding a weapon and firearm
Presiding Judge – Catherine Evans
GUILTY VERDICT
08/23/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor BIANCA RODRIGUEZ for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #5 – Cause #2094772
Driving While Intoxicated (.19)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 1 Year Probation/$500 Fine
Presiding Judge – Margaret Harris
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorney BRIAN HARRISON for a Not Guilty verdict in the County Court at Law #3 – Cause #2122154
Interference with Duties of a Public Servant
the charge – unlawfully with criminal negligence striking the complainant’s hands and charging the complainant while complainant was attempting to detain another defendant, did defendant interrupt, disrupt, impede and interfere with the complainant, a peace officer while the complainant was performing his duty and exercising authority imposed and granted by law
Presiding Judge – Natalie Fleming
GUILTY VERDICT
08/22/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor SARAH NEYLAND for a Guilty verdict in the 338th District Court – Cause #1525062
Evading Arrest with a Vehicle
the charge – unlawfully intentionally flee from the complainant, a Hedwig Village peace officer, lawfully attempting to detain the defendant, and the defendant knew the complainant was a peace officer attempting to detain the defendant, and the defendant used a motor vehicle while he was in flight
Sentence – 10 Years Probation/ 100 Days in Jail
Presiding Judge – Ramona Franklin
GUILTY VERDICT
08/22/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor GRACE MURPHY for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #2 – Cause #2133084
Prostitution
the charge – unlawfully based upon the payment of a fee by the defendant, knowingly offer to engage in sexual conduct, namely sexual intercourse by straight sex, with the complainant
Sentence – 1 Year Probation
Presiding Judge – Bill Harmon
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorneys ERIC BENAVIDES (top) and SEAN DARVISHI for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #14 – Cause #2128264
Driving While Intoxicated 2nd (.088)
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Presiding Judge – Mike Fields
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorney WILLIAM VAN BUREN for a Not Guilty verdict in the County Court at Law #2 – Cause #2161017
Indecent Exposure
the charge – unlawfully expose his genitals to the complainant with the intent to arouse and gratify the sexual desire of the defendant and the defendant was reckless about whether another person who was present would be offended and alarmed by the act, to wit: the defendant exposed his male sexual organ in public and masturbated
Presiding Judge – Bill Harmon
August 21, 2017 Courthouse Nugget
According to the Harris County District Clerk’s Online Website 8,425 cases were disposed from July 3, 2017 through July 31, 2017 and the breakdown of Appointed Attorneys, Hired Attorneys and No Attorneys are as follows:
Appointed Attorneys – 51.1 %
Hired Attorneys – 38.3 %
No Attorneys – 10.6 %
Below is a breakdown of each misdemeanor and felony court
GUILTY VERDICT
08/21/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor CAHAL MCCOLGAN for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #4 – Cause #2110800
Driving While Intoxicated
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 45 Days in Jail
Presiding Judge – John Clinton
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GUILTY VERDICT 
08/18/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor RYAN VOLKMER for a Guilty verdict in the 263rd District Court – Cause #1460210
Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly during a period of time of 30 days or more, commit at least 2 acts of sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years of age, including an act constituting indecency with a child by contact committed against the complainant on 2 separate occasions, and the defendant was at least 17 years of age
Sentence – 65 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Jim Wallace
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GUILTY VERDICT 
08/18/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JE’RELL ROGERS for a Guilty verdict in the 174th District Court – Cause #1451894
Aggravated Sexual Assault
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the anus and sexual organ of the complainant by placing his sexual organ in the anus and sexual organ of the complainant, and the defendant compelled the complainant to submit by the use of physical force and violence, and the defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a knife
Sentence – 60 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Regan Clark
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/18/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor JAMES MURPHY for a Guilty verdict in the 339th District Court – Cause #1387087
Aggravated Robbery
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly while in the course of committing theft of property owned by complainant, and with the intent to obtain and maintain control of the property, intentionally and knowingly 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 – 60 Years in Prison and a $10,000 Fine
Presiding Judge – Belinda Hill
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/18/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor MARY GRACE SCHICK for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #8 – Cause #2112173
Driving While Intoxicated (.21)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 18 Months Probation/$500 Fine
Presiding Judge – Jay Karahan
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/17/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor SEPI ZIMMER for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #10 – Cause #2133932
Driving While Intoxicated (.12)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 1 Year Probation/ $1000 Fine
Presiding Judge – Dan Spjut
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/16/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor ALEX COHN for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #5 – Cause #2070126
Driving While Intoxicated (.23)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 1 Year Probation/ $1000 Fine
Presiding Judge – Margaret Harris
GUILTY VERDICT
08/16/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor CHRIS CONDON for a Guilty verdict in the 337th District Court – Cause #1459171 (Two Sexual Assault Trials and Two Convictions in 4 days for Mr. Condon – Good Work!)
Aggravated Sexual Assault
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the penetration of the sexual organ of the complainant by placing his sexual organ into the sexual organ of the complainant and the defendant compelled the complainant to submit by threatening to use force and the complainant believed the defendant had the present ability to execute the threat and the defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 50 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Jim Anderson
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorney JOEL SALAZAR for a Not Guilty verdict in the 179th District Court – Cause #1489517
Assault Family Member – Impede Breathing
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant, a member of the defendant’s family and a person with whom the defendant had a dating relationship, by impeding the normal breathing and circulation of blood by applying pressure to the complainant’s neck and throat
Presiding Judge – Randy Roll
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/14/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors SARAH MOSS (pictured) and LUIS BATARSE for a Guilty verdict in the 228th District Court – Cause #1555099
Burglary of a Habitation and Aggravated Assault
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly without the consent of the owner of the habitation, enter the habitation and commit the offense of aggravated assault against the complainant with a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 32 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Belinda Hill
GUILTY VERDICT
08/11/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor CHRIS CONDON for (2) Guilty verdicts in the 337th District Court – Cause #1517014 and #1517015
Aggravated Sexual Assault
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the sexual organ of the complainant AND the mouth of the complainant to contact the sexual organ of the defendant and the defendant compelled the complainant to submit by threatening to use force and the complainant believed the defendant had the present ability to execute the threat by acting in concert with an unknown male
Sentence – 60 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Lee Duggan
REVERSE & REMAND
Congratulations to Public Defender DAUCIE SHEFMAN and her team for a Reversal of a Guilty verdict in the 351st District Court – Cause #1296569
Capital Murder
On 10/29/15 the jury convicted the defendant and sentenced him to Life in Prison Without Parole. The appeal to the First Court of Appeals – No-01-15-00979-CR resulted in a reversal and a remand to the court for a new trial.
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/10/17
Congratulations to Prosecutors AARON VONQUINTUS (top) and LYNN NGUYEN for a Guilty verdict in the 185th District Court – Cause #1556876
Aggravated Kidnapping
GUILTY VERDICT 
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly abduct the complainant and used or exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 55 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Regan Clark
COURTHOUSE NUGGET – August 10, 2017
“The Trumpet Man”
A new person has arrived to lift the spirits of all those who enter and exit the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. 77-year-old Mr. Phillip Flakes (stage name Gabriel – “blow your horn”) has taken Ricky’s place as a person who wants to “uplift humanity through song”. Phillip plays his cornet (a shorter version of a trumpet) at the criminal courthouse from 8:30am – 10:30am Monday – Friday. Mr. Flakes is a TSU graduate in government and for the last 14 years he has worked as a drug dependency counselor for Harris County. He has decided at this stage of his life to put smiles on the faces of those who come to the criminal courthouse. His motto is “live our lives by purpose, rather than by default.”
August 7-11, 2017
Congratulations to the following Defense Attorney(s) for their TRIAL DAY DISMISSALS. (Note: All information derived from the Harris County District Clerk’s website. Dismissal not included if plead to another case or has an open case. Includes dismissals within a couple of days of trial day.)
Defense Attorney Michael Edwards
Felon in Possession of a Weapon – 176th – Case #1485010
Defense Attorney Jose Cantu, Jr.
DWI – Court 5 – Case #2111028
Defense Attorney Letitia Quinones
Sexual Assault – 230th – Case #1474583
Defense Attorney Matthew Sharp
Child Abandonment – 338th – Case #1499412
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/08/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor STEVE WALSH for a Guilty verdict in the 176th District Court – Cause #1511086
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause bodily injury to the complainant by striking the complainant with a firearm, and the defendant used and exhibited a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 2 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Nikita Harmon
Mandate Affirmance
08/08/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor ALAN CURRY (now with the Galveston DA) for writing the appellate brief that resulted in the affirmance of a conviction in County Criminal Court at Law #3 – Cause #1980492
Sentence – 180 Days in Jail Probated for 1 Year and $500 Fine Reinstated
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August 2-4, 2017
Congratulations to the following Defense Attorney(s) for their TRIAL DAY DISMISSALS. (Note: All information derived from the Harris County District Clerk’s website. Dismissal not included if plead to another case or has an open case. Includes dismissals within a couple of days of trial day.)
Defense Attorney Steve Shellist
Official Oppression – Misd. – 180th – Case #1515430
Defense Attorney Robin McIlhenny
Official Oppression – Misd. – 180th – Case #1515429
Defense Attorney Gerald Fry
Assault Family Member 2nd Offender – 178th – Case #1456983
Defense Attorney Ray Castro
Assault of a Family Member – Choking – 176th – Case #1494321
Defense Attorney Cornel Williams
Sexual Assault of a Child – 228th – Case #1491870
Defense Attorney Brian Coyne
Felon in Possession of a Weapon – 228th – Case #1529263
Defense Attorney Mike Trent
Promotion of Prostitution – CCL15 – Case #2123291
Defense Attorney Tad Nelson
DWI – CCL15 – Case #2084440
Defense Attorney Maverick Ray
Possession of a Controlled Substance – 178th – Case #1507018
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/04/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor ASHLEY GUICE for (2) Guilty verdicts in the 185th District Court – Cause #1530466 and 1530467
Sexual Assault of a Child Under 17
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly cause the mouth of the complainant, a person younger than 17 years old, to contact the sexual organ of the defendant AND intentionally and knowingly cause the sexual organ of the complainant to touch the sexual organ of the defendant
Sentence – 8 Years in Prison AND 10 Years Probation
Presiding Judge -Susan Brown
GUILTY VERDICT
08/04/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor GRACE MURPHY for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #2 – Cause #2096002
Driving While Intoxicated (.18)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 30 Days in Jail
Presiding Judge – Bill Harmon
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/04/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor GARRETT MOORE for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #10 – Cause #2084632
Driving While Intoxicated 2nd Offender – (.197)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 2 Years Probation/$1000 Fine/3 Days in Jail
Presiding Judge – Dan Spjut
REVERSE & REMAND
Congratulations to Defense Attorney ADAM BROWN for a Reversal of a Guilty verdict in the 180th District Court – Cause #1452040
Assault of a Family Member 2nd Offender
On 08/13/15 the jury convicted the defendant and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. Adam’s appeal to the First Court of Appeals – No-01-15-00717-CR resulted in a reversal and a remand to the court for a new trial.
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorney THOMAS MARTIN for (2) Not Guilty verdicts in the 177th District Court – Cause #1517214 -1517226
Theft Third Offender and Possession of a Controlled Substance
the charge – unlawfully intentionally and knowingly possess a controlled substance, namely oxycodone, weighing less than 1 gram by unlawfully appropriating by acquiring and otherwise exercising control over the property of the complainant of the value of less than $2500, with the intent to deprive the owner of the property (and the defendant had twice before been convicted of theft)
Presiding Judge – Terry Flenniken
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/03/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor TIFFANY LARSEN for a Guilty verdict in the 262nd District Court – Cause #1518925
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 he defendant did then and there exhibit a deadly weapon, namely a firearm
Sentence – 25 Years in Prison
Presiding Judge – Denise Bradley
GUILTY VERDICT 
08/02/17
Congratulations to Prosecutor ANDREW FIGLIUZZI for a Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #5 – Cause #2038719
Driving While Intoxicated – (.163)
the charge – unlawfully operate a motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated
Sentence – 1 Year Probation/$500 Fine
Presiding Judge – Margaret Harris
NOT GUILTY VERDICT
Congratulations to Defense Attorney DIANA SIMS for a Not Guilty verdict in County Court at Law #9 – Cause #2136768
Assault Family Violence
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, by biting the complainant with his teeth and by grabbing the complainant with his hand
Presiding Judge – Analia Wilkerson
August 1, 2017
Congratulations to the following Defense Attorney(s) for their TRIAL DAY DISMISSALS. (Note: All information derived from the Harris County District Clerk’s website. Dismissal not included if plead to another case or has an open case.)
Defense Attorney Alan Cohen
Super Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child <6 – 182nd – Case #1483224
Defense Attorney Zack Fertitta
Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution – 248th – Case #1522876
Defense Attorney Jules Laird
Possession of a Controlled Substance – 339th – Case #1472385
Defense Attorney Mike Trent
DWI – CCL5 – Case #2123069