Man who fled own murder trial captured outside Houston

Kerry Gittens, 26, extradited to San Antonio Thursday

SAN ANTONIO – A man who fled the Bexar County Courthouse just before closing arguments in his murder trial were about to begin has been captured and brought back to San Antonio.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says information from the public led authorities to Kerry Gittens, 26, who was found hiding out in a motel room in Katy, Texas.

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BCSO worked with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals to arrest Gittens and extradite him.

A warrant had been out for Gittens’ arrest since August 2016, when he took off during his trial, authorities said.

Video: Murder defendant slips out of ankle monitor, leaves courthouse

“That day, just approximately 2:30, he left the courtroom and did not return. He removed his ankle monitor and he's been on the run ever since,” said Rosanne Hughes, BCSO spokesperson. “But now, he is back in custody.”

Gittens was on trial forshooting and killing Antwan Jones in November 2014.

A judge found Gittens guilty by absentia after he allegedly fled the courthouse, and later sentenced him to 50 years.

He must appear before a judge again to be formally sentenced.

Missing convicted murder defendant sentenced to 50 years in prison

The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office is also investigating whether Gittens could face a charge for bond jumping.

If convicted, that charge carries a punishment of two to 10 years in prison. 

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About the Author:

Myra Arthur is passionate about San Antonio and sharing its stories. She graduated high school in the Alamo City and always wanted to anchor and report in her hometown. Myra anchors KSAT News at 6:00 p.m. and hosts and reports for the streaming show, KSAT Explains. She joined KSAT in 2012 after anchoring and reporting in Waco and Corpus Christi.