San Antonio woman sentenced to 8+ years in prison for meth trafficking
A 32-year-old San Antonio woman was sentenced to more than eight years in prison after she was found guilty of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
San Antonio man sentenced to 40 years in prison for brutal attack of former girlfriend with metal baseball bat, DA’s office says
A San Antonio man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Tuesday for the brutal attack of his former girlfriend with a metal baseball bat in 2019, according to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.
Barrientes Vela trial delayed to August after DA discovery issues emerge
Attorneys for the one-time Bexar County Precinct 2 constable successfully argued during a 90-minute hearing before Judge Velia Meza decided that they did not have sufficient time to analyze hours of undercover audio recordings from the case.
Ex-East Central ISD booster club treasurer avoids prison in fraud case, for now
A San Antonio woman who had until Tuesday to pay back more than $201,000 in restitution in two felony fraud cases has gotten an extension after convincing a judge she is close to extracting equity from property tied up in a related civil lawsuit.
Helping sex assault victims through trauma could help increase prosecutions of sex crimes
The chief of family division in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office says many sexual assault cases are very rarely fully prosecuted because victims can't be located or don't want to face their attacker in court.
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New state law will now allow property owners to remove racial deed restrictions through the courts
Although the restrictions are unenforceable, having been outlawed by the federal government, property owners who don’t want to see those racial restrictions in their property deeds, can have them removed through the courts under a new state law.
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Spurs unveil plans for massive new training facility, $510M community development on far NW Side
Spurs Sports and Entertainment publicly unveiled plans today for a new nearly 50-acre development on the far Northwest Side that includes a state-of-the-art training facility for the San Antonio Spurs, medical and research offices, retail, park and community space.
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The Texas Senate has approved a new statewide appeals court. Critics contend it's another attempt to limit Democrats' power.
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Bexar County grand juries conclude service under challenging circumstances
SAN ANTONIO – The circumstances under which the two latest grand juries served were anything but ideal, with the pandemic ongoing and the recent winter storms in the Bexar County area. The 12-member panels met alternately twice weekly in the cavernous central jury room in the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center basement, which made maintaining social distancing ideal. The juries reviewed a combined total of about 1,600 cases, down considerably from a usual average of 2,000 cases per grand jury, according to Rangel. AdHe said maintaining the secrecy that by law must surround grand juries was a challenge due to the sheer size of the central jury room, which can accommodate more than 600 people. “We had extra security outside the central jury room so that nobody would go into the room that is normally open to the public,” Rangel said.
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Bexar County DA’s office, courtrooms, sustain weather-related water damage
Water also seeped through walls down to three courtrooms on the fourth floor, 187th District Court Judge Stephanie Boyd said. ”We had some major damage in our court coordinator’s office,” Boyd said. ”We’re trying to keep the courthouse safe from folks coming in and getting sick as a result of the pandemic,” Rangel said. Rangel said that will likely continue in spite of any water damage. Related: Water pipe bust floods Bexar County DA’s office, damages files
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Judge denies bond reduction for man accused of killing another man in West Side motel parking lot
SAN ANTONIO – Citing a long rap sheet, a judge has denied an accused killer’s bid to have his bond reduced. Deeply concerned over testimony detailing 24-year-old Jacob Embrey’s criminal record, 226th State District Judge Velia Meza denied Embrey’s request to reduce his $200,000 bond on Wednesday. “In looking at just the video itself, in the beginning, we were able to get a good description of the suspect,” Pena said during testimony. The suspect was then identified as Embrey, who Pena testified had an extensive criminal record, including arrests on drug and assault charges. “I have requested a $75,000 bond, but anything that you feel might be sufficient would be greatly appreciated”, defense attorney Eric DeWalt told Judge Meza.
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‘I’m not a cat,’ lawyer tells judge during Zoom call cat-filter faux ‘paw’
Video of the court proceedings, released by Judge Roy Ferguson on social media and on YouTube, shows how the call happened. IMPORTANT ZOOM TIP: If a child used your computer, before you join a virtual hearing check the Zoom Video Options to be sure filters are off. #lawtwitter #OhNo @zoom_ushttps://t.co/I0zaj0wu6K — Judge Roy Ferguson (@JudgeFergusonTX) February 9, 2021“Mr. Ad“Can you hear me judge?” Ponton says. — Judge Roy Ferguson (@JudgeFergusonTX) February 9, 2021Watch the video in full in the player below:Related: Sheriff making changes at the Bexar County jail to address court case backlog
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Sheriff making changes at the Bexar County jail to address court case backlog
”We’re going to make sure that the jail is not the reason for that backlog”, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Thursday. He said he is making additional space available in order so that more virtual hearings can be conducted at the jail. ”The reality of it is virtual hearings take up a lot more time,” Rangel said as he welcomed the sheriff’s help. Ad“We’re doing everything we can behind the scenes to keep the process moving,” Salazar said. “We know that jury trials are going to be put off for the foreseeable future.”RELATED: District judge says she is ‘fearful’ of COVID-19 risks related to recent courtroom clerk transfers
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District judge says she is ‘fearful’ of COVID-19 risks related to recent courtroom clerk transfers
SAN ANTONIO – When a clerk, who had been assigned to her court, was recently reassigned to another court, 187th District Court Judge Stephanie Boyd became concerned. ”With COVID, of course, everyone is fearful of a lot of cross-movement,” Boyd said Wednesday. Boyd said, beyond concerns for her staff and people doing business in her court, she has a personal concern. Bexar County District Clerk Mary Angie Garcia said that while she tries to limit transfers it is unavoidable during the coronavirus pandemic. “We have currently, right now, seven clerks who are out with COVID quarantine and we have to shuffle,” Garcia said.
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Local judges pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with special video
SAN ANTONIO – When San Antonio’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march was canceled as local COVID-19 numbers continued to climb, one judge posed a question to his judicial colleagues. ”How can we put a message out to the community letting them know that we’re still with them on this day?” Quesada asked. The video, Quesada said, was “a sort of substitute” for the March. ”Imagine trying to get them all to do a video in a certain time so that we can have it all ready for MLK Day,” Quesada said. Watch the video in full in the player below:Related: San Antonio community leaders reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy
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Judge will continue mission to help juveniles in new role
SAN ANTONIO – When she was elected to the 289th Juvenile District Court bench last November, Jackie Valdes said the new position allows her to continue her mission as a juvenile prosecutor. “It was always from the perspective of what is in the best interest of this child to rehabilitate,” Valdes said Monday. Valdes said her mother, Senior District Judge Maria Teresa “Tessa” Herr, encouraged her to seek election. “I felt like the citizens of Bexar County should have a judge who was invested and knowledgeable and cares enough to show up,” Valdes said. “It just amazes me that she ends up as a judge in a juvenile court where she still can do what she loves and that is to help kids.”Related: State district court judge conducts inspection of juvenile facilities in Bexar County
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Summonses for civil jury trials in Bexar County are on the way for some residents
SAN ANTONIO – Though the moratorium on jury service that was ordered last spring amid fears of spreading the coronavirus remains in place in Bexar County, it has been modified to allow for social distancing. On Monday, the first jury summonses for virtual civil jury trials were mailed to prospective jurors. Schulze, along with Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel and the Bexar County IT Department, developed the new virtual jury system. Rangel says the system only applies to civil jury trials. The entire proceedings, from jury summons to jury selection and testimony, will be done remotely.
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Jurors concerned about COVID-19 safety as cases rise in Bexar County
SAN ANTONIO – The county is examining potential meeting locations for grand juries in the Bexar County Courthouse complex after some jurors expressed concerns for their safety given the rising number of COVID-19 cases locally. With safety protocols in place, grand juries have been meeting throughout the pandemic. On Thursday, State District Judge Velia Meza toured meeting sites for juries within the complex. The locations are not being revealed since all grand jury meetings are secret and confidential. Spike in COVID-19 cases prompts Bexar County judge to temporarily postpone jury selection in capital murder trial
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Jury moratorium raises speedy trial concerns for some defendants
SAN ANTONIO – As the moratorium on jury trials keeps being extended in Bexar County, so does the time it takes to get a case to trial, pushing some defendants to argue that they are not getting their constitutionally guaranteed right to a speedy trial. Ruben Loredo, 56, is facing a felony charge and four misdemeanor charges in Bexar County for alleging violating protective orders. “I’ve been waiting for a long time.”Judges divided on extension of jury trial moratorium in Bexar CountyThat wait became even longer last March when a moratorium on jury trials was ordered due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. Roe said his only other option is to agree to a bench trial before a judge rather than a jury trial. Jury service resumption in Bexar County gets closer look
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Some undocumented immigrants should again be allowed to apply for DACA protections, federal judge rules
As of March, about 106,000 DACA recipients lived in Texas, and another 86,000 were potentially eligible to apply, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Friday's order follows last month's ruling that acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf wasn’t appointed to the position according to DHS guidelines, rendering a July memo issued on the DACA program invalid. In that memo, DACA protections, which also include a renewable two-year work permit, were slashed to one year. But in his November ruling Garaufis said Wolf’s succession didn't follow proper procedure after former secretary Kevin McAleenan left the post in October. “DHS failed to follow the order of succession as it was lawfully designated," Garaufis wrote.
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Judges divided on extension of jury trial moratorium in Bexar County
SAN ANTONIO – The moratorium on jury trials ordered in March over concerns about the spreading of COVID-19 will end on Dec. 31. The decision on whether to extend the moratorium is up to Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel. “We know that we are in a current surge of COVID cases.”Jury service resumption in Bexar County gets closer lookSeveral judges in the criminal, civil and misdemeanor courts at the Bexar County Courthouse are anxious to begin conducting in person jury trials. “I believe that we should consider resuming jury trials on a case-by-case basis,” County Court 11 Judge Tommy Stolhandske said. Stolhandske also noted that Harris and Kendall counties have already resumed in-person jury trials.
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Judge denies defendant’s bond in bizarre suicide attempt that claimed teen’s life
Man arrested after causing crash that killed teen during attempt to kill himselfBurke ran from the scene but was caught by police soon after the crash. “Colby is a very high functioning, very intelligent young man.”, said Dan Burke, Colby Burke’s father, during the hearing on Monday. Dan Burke said his son is being evaluated by a psychiatrist and treated with medication while in jail. “Colby started a new medication about a month ago -- I believe four weeks ago, if I’m not mistaken. “I’m not convinced that he’s not going to get into a car and do it again,” Meza said.
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Judge orders replacement of clerks, threatens legal action against district clerk if not done by Monday
SAN ANTONIO – On Thursday, 399th District Court Judge Frank Castro issued an order noting that deputy district clerks assigned to district courts serve at the pleasure of the judges. The order concluded by threatening to hold Bexar County District Clerk Mary Angie Garcia in contempt of court is she did not replace two clerks assigned to his court by Monday. Castro had requested the transfer earlier, according to Garcia. We would do what we had to do,” Garcia said. “We’re just trying to make it a smooth operational office,” Garcia said.
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Bexar County Juvenile Board awarded $622K federal grant for mental health program
SAN ANTONIO – The chief Bexar County juvenile probation officer announced Friday that the Bexar County Juvenile Board was awarded a $622,000 federal grant to assist juveniles with mental health issues in transitioning from residential treatment facilities. “(The program) allows us to work with kids at a time when they’re very vulnerable,” Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Lynne Wilkerson said Friday. “We expect it to include a clinician, an assigned probation officer, of course, a case manager and a family partner,” Wilkerson said. When the program begins operating, it will be available to all three Bexar County juvenile courts. RELATED: New mental health dispatch program sees 7 mental health calls in first week
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Opposition for virtual civil jury trials in Bexar County is growing
SAN ANTONIO – Opposition to conduct virtual civil jury trials in Bexar County to address the backlog of court cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic is growing. Another attempt at conducting a virtual civil jury trial is scheduled for November 9th, Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel said Wednesday. In September, a trial failed when all parties could not agree to the proceeding, as is mandated by a Texas Supreme Court order allowing virtual civil jury trials. The president of the local American Board of Trial Advocates says 90% of the group’s membership opposes virtual civil jury trials. “Most of our membership thinks that it would be very difficult to get a true measure of justice from a virtual jury panel.”
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Judge resets accused killer’s pretrial hearing after recusal in case
Joseph Woolard faces a long list of charges, including a murder charge stemming from a wrong-way traffic wreck last spring. Woolard was a fugitive facing attempted capital murder charges stemming from a shootout with police in March 2019. During a pretrial hearing on Friday, 144th District Court Judge Melisa Skinner recused herself since she had been the prosecutor assigned to Woolard’s attempted capital murder case. “I’ve had a lot to do with speaking with the family members in those cases, and so I would absolutely have a conflict,” Judge Skinner said Friday. The case’s future is unclear since Skinner is facing challenger Judge Michael Mery in next month’s election.
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KSAT Kids: Today in History, Oct. 2
Today is Friday, Oct. 2, the 276th day of 2020. On Oct. 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court as the court opened its new term. In 1941, during World War II, German armies launched an all-out drive against Moscow; Soviet forces succeeded in holding onto their capital. In 1944, German troops crushed the two-month-old Warsaw Uprising, during which a quarter of a million people had been killed. (Miller was tried three times; he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but was released after nine years.)
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Bexar County sheriff forced to make courthouse security adjustments amid budget cuts
SAN ANTONIO – Effective Thursday, the positions of 16 part-time Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies tasked with providing security at the county courthouse complex entrances have been eliminated due to budget cuts made by the Commissioners Court. “I feel like (commissioners are) using a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Thursday. Bexar County Commissioners discuss trimming courthouse security staffThe temporary problem, he said, is reduced traffic at the courthouse due to the pandemic. He said the changes would not compromise the safety of courthouse staff and the public. “But it still does present some problems for us.”Salazar’s Republican challenger in next month’s election, Gerald Rickhoff, said that he shares the sheriff’s concern for providing adequate courthouse security.
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Woman charged in attempted kidnap of Joe Montana grandchild
Sodsai Dalzell appears in court for an arraignment Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles. Dalzell is charged with attempted kidnapping of Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana's granddaughter. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool)
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Chief justice of 4th Court of Appeals with all-female justices applauds diversity in judicial system
SAN ANTONIO – Late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was once quoted saying that there will be enough women on the high court when all nine justices are women. In South Texas, the 4th Court of Appeals became the first appellate court in the country made up solely of women in 2005. Justice Sandee Bryan Marion is the chief justice. “I think that diversity is a great thing,” Justice Marion said Friday. Noting the recent passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Marion said, “Justice Ginsburg has had a tremendous influence on all women, all women judges, all women lawyers and even little girls.
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Texas Supreme Court order OKs virtual jury trials
SAN ANTONIO – In the Texas Supreme Court’s most recent order addressing jury trials during the pandemic, it said virtual civil court jury trials can be conducted starting Oct. 1. “Courts can compel attorneys for both sides, whether they agree or not, to have a virtual jury trial,” Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel said, referring to the order Monday. He said that he questions virtual trials, period. In his order, which he is drafting this week, Rangel said he has moved the date for virtual jury trials in Bexar County to begin on Nov. 1. Rangel plans to present his local order to the judges, as well as Regional Administrative Judge Sid Harle by week’s end.
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From court to curb: Spurs set to roll out new food truck with San Antonio favorites
From court to curb: Spurs set to roll out new food truck with San Antonio favoritesPublished: September 17, 2020, 11:34 amA new Spurs themed food truck serving some AT&T Center favorites will hit the road for the first time next month.
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Bexar County Commissioners discuss trimming courthouse security staff
SAN ANTONIO – Trimming the courthouse security staff was among the suggestions made during a Bexar County Commissioners budget workshop, a suggestion to which the sheriff took strong exception. The halls of the Bexar County Courthouse and Cadena-Reeves Justice Center are virtually empty since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March. Bexar County constables unhappy with proposed county budgetBexar County Manager David Smith took note of the empty halls when he addressed Commissioners Court and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar during a budget workshop on Thursday as they discussed security staffing in both buildings. “We recommend nine vacant court security positions be deleted for, I think, obvious, reasons,” Smith said. There is one more budget workshop scheduled for next Monday before the budget is formally adopted the following day.
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The Backstory: Kendall County’s first elected district court judge reflects on past two years in office, plans for future
BOERNE, Texas – When former Kendall County Judge Kirsten Cohoon took her place as 451st District Court Judge in January 2018, she became the county’s first elected State District Court Judge, defeating an incumbent appointed by the governor. While creating the court, the Legislature eliminated several positions, including the county judge, leaving Cohoon with a challenging workload. “I really don’t think of that,” Cohoon said. “And I don’t think Kendall County does either.”In Kendall County, the district clerk’s office, county clerk’s office, district attorney’s office and four justice of the peace offices are all led by women, leaving Cohoon in good company. “I would like to see us work harder and be able to be back in court,” Cohoon said.
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Texas Supreme Court decision makes changes to civil lawsuit service
AUSTIN A decision from The Texas Supreme Court will significantly change how parties in a civil lawsuit can receive notification. Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks Harris County from sending mail-in ballot applications to all its votersPreviously, it was done in person by a constable, his or her deputies or a licensed process server. There are people who love to the hack in there to change things, Buford said. Its just gonna make things difficult.The method of service must be approved by the judge in whose court the litigation is filed. Verification of service through e-mail is acceptable, and some consider the new methods faster and more economical, but not everyone.
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Judge holds first of its kind remote hearing in Bexar County
SAN ANTONIO – Last summer, Brandon Lee, 31, was arrested on drug charges, and on Wednesday, District Court Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl sentenced him to prison during a first-of-its-kind remote hearing. Zoom court hearing hacking in Bexar County prompts close look at protocolThe judge, prosecutor, defense attorney and Lee were all participating remotely. Lee was in a probation department conference room, flanked by a sheriff’s deputy, in a coordinated procedure involving the probation department, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and the court. Following Lee’s punishment, Judge Torres-Stahl told him, “The deputy there is going to take you into custody and transport you to the Bexar County Jail until you can be transferred.”The deputy then walked Lee across the street to the jail. Noting that she has two similar hearings set for next week, Torres-Stahl said, “I think it is something we will continue to do.
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State agency OKs resuming in-person jury trials on Oct. 1
SAN ANTONIO The state Office of Court Administrations September order outlining guidelines for resuming in-person jury trials recommended that trials begin on Oct. 1. But the decision on when to continue jury trials was left up to each countys local administrative judge. I am looking at the beginning of the year unless factors change, Local Administrative Judge Ron Rangel said Wednesday. According to Rangel, the final decision on resuming in-person jury trials will be made based on input from all of the countys judges. Others prefer to proceed with caution.A moratorium on jury service was ordered in early March over concerns of spreading the coronavirus.
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Kendall County district court judge conducting first live jury trial since COVID-19 outbreak
BOERNE, Texas – Testimony continued Tuesday in an assault trial in District Judge Kirsten Cohoon’s 431st District Court in Kendall County. There have been no live jury trials in the area since the COVID-19 outbreak in March, fearing an outbreak of the virus. Rangel said conducting live jury trials in Bexar County will depend solely on COVID-19 statistics. Rangel said he has no plans to conduct a live jury trial in Bexar County until at least October. The next live jury trial in Kendall County is scheduled for Oct. 5.
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Judge denies bond reduction in arson case, cites governor’s executive order
Following her release from the hospital for treatment of burns over 25% of her body, Salinas was arrested on arson charges and jailed in lieu of $75,000 bond. ‘You want to f*** with me’: Woman accused of torching man’s car before they both caught fireOn Thursday, Salinas’ lawyer, Angela Tavares, asked that her client be released on a personal recognizance bond. He also told the court that his mother’s ex-boyfriend, Alejandro Megana, told him that the fire was an accident. “I cannot get the adequate medicine for my pain, so pain is always an issue,” she testified from jail during Thursday’s remote hearing. Greg Abbott last spring that forbids personal recognizance bonds in violent felony cases, Judge Velia Meza denied Salinas’ request and ordered that her $75,000 bond remain in place.
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Civil district courts in Bexar County prepare to reopen after months-long closure
Civil district courts in Bexar County prepare to reopen after months-long closurePublished: June 10, 2020, 6:14 pmThe mid-March closure of the Bexar County Courts complex amid the coronavirus pandemic had a devastating effect on the local justice system, according to District Court Judge Peter Sakai.
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Texas appeals court makes history with remote oral arguments
AUSTIN – The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals heard oral arguments this week outside of the court's cavernous courtroom. “Surreal, nothing to compare it to,” said Judge Bert Richardson, a member of the court. Instead of appearing before the nine-member court in person, attorneys made their arguments remotely on a TV screen, with their images appearing along with the judges. “I think the lawyers find it a little bit more comfortable because they’re not standing in front of nine judges,” Richardson said. “It’s nice being in the courtroom and nice being with the lawyers,” Richardson said.
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Affidavit: Man behind bars after threatening his wife with a knife
SAN ANTONIO – One man is now behind bars after investigators said he pulled a knife on his wife. Back in September of last year, Braulio Garcia, 49, went to pick up his wife from work and while driving home, accused her of cheating on him, according to an arrest affidavit. Authorities said Garcia told his wife to stop driving and threatened her with a three-inch knife. Affidavit: Man shot, robbed of truck was lured by 17-year-old girl via social mediaAfter arriving home, she was able to escape and run to a family member’s home for help, according to an affidavit. Garcia was arrested and is now facing a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
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Defense expert challenges state expert’s findings in intoxication manslaughter case
SAN ANTONIO – During a pre-trial hearing prior to the start of Rosalinda Olalde’s trial on intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges, a defense accident reconstructionist took exception to several of the findings of the state’s expert on accident reconstruction. On Tuesday that expert, Dr. Eric Moody, again called the state’s findings into question. Moody testified on Tuesday that he estimated her speed was between 56 and 60 miles an hour. Both experts agreed that Olalde’s SUV had left the Loop 1604 access road in the 6500 block and was on the sidewalk adjacent the access road when the crash occurred. Velasquez-Palau was entering the access road from a private driveway.
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Judge resets cases over coronavirus concerns
SAN ANTONIO – Judge Gloria Saldana’s County Court 9 courtroom is normally packed on a Monday morning. “I’m restructuring my docket so that I don’t have more than 15 people in court at any one time," Saldana said. “I want to make my courtroom safe in light of everything that is going on,” Saldana said. “I was a Girl Scout, and I live to be prepared.”Misdemeanor Administrative Court Judge John Longoria validated what Saldana has done. “Our jury room gets about 500 or 600 people a day, and that could spread like wildfire it if gets here,” Longoria said Monday.
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Jury gets firsthand look at vehicles involved in fatal traffic crash
Olalde is accused of crashing broadside into a car driven by Mario Velasquez-Palau, 22, on the night of August 10, 2018. “His brain stem had been torn in two, completely transected,” Medical Examiner, Doctor Jennifer Rulon, testified. They showed that the sedan had been pushed into a ditch while Olalde’s SUV continued traveling down the access road. The trial is set to resume in Judge Jennifer Pena’s 290th District Court on Monday at which time defense attorneys are expected to call an accident reconstruction expert to testify. Survivors of fatal drunk driving crash share their story during suspect’s trial
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Blood alcohol content of accused drunk driver was twice the legal limit
SAN ANTONIO – When Rosalinda Olalde, 24, crashed broadside into a car driven by Mario Velasquez, 22, on the night of August 10, 2018, her blood alcohol content was .18, more than twice the legal limit of .08. Trial begins for woman accused of driving drunk on sidewalk, killing motorist“She had anxiety medication that gets prescribed,” trauma surgeon Dr. Christopher Crane testified. Medical records show that Olalde discussed the accident with medical personnel while she was being treated for injuries that were not life-threatening. Despite objections from Olalde’s lawyer, Demetrio Duarte, Escalona was allowed to read a portion of those conversations from the records. If she is convicted, Olalde faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.
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Barrientes Vela makes first court appearance since being indicted on felony charges
Barrientes Vela makes first court appearance since being indicted on felony chargesPublished: February 26, 2020, 5:21 pmFormer Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela on Wednesday morning made her first court appearance since her arrest last month on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.
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Survivors of fatal drunk driving crash share their story during suspect’s trial
SAN ANTONIO – The only person involved in a fatal drunk driving wreck that wasn’t drinking that August 2018 night was killed. According to prosecutors, Olalde veered from the Loop 1604 access road and onto the sidewalk, where she struck Velasquez’s car as he attempted to exit onto the access road. Trial begins for woman accused of driving drunk on sidewalk, killing motoristMurrillo was a backseat passenger in Velasquez’s car and suffered shoulder and head injuries in the crash. “I just feel, like, a huge impact,” Aguilar testified. Paramedics were able to get Velasquez from the car and worked for over 20 minutes to save his life.
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Judge dismisses charges in Southeast Side manslaughter case due to lack of probable cause
SAN ANTONIO – Manslaughter charges against a 22-year-old man, who was previously suspected of being involved in a deadly shooting at a Southeast Side apartment complex, were dismissed after a judge ruled there was a lack of probable cause in the case, according to Bexar County records. Witnesses told investigators they saw Jose Maria Galindo run from a bedroom at the Pecan Valley Apartments after hearing a gunshot on Jan. 22. Investigators arrested Galindo in La Salle County soon after, but because a judge did not find enough reasonable grounds for the manslaughter charge, the case was dismissed. Galindo is still in the Bexar County Jail on a charge of assault of a public servant, according to records. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says the bond in the assault case was increased to $15,000.
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Detectives say gold watch is key evidence in Medical Center rape case
SAN ANTONIO – A gold watch that prosecutors say belonged to a woman Anton Harris is accused of raping and robbing was found in Harris' apartment a week after the 2017 attack. Harris, the accused “Medical Center rapist,” has been indicted in the sexual assaults of five women in the Medical Center area during 2016 and 2017. The victim’s attacker, whom she described as a slim African-American man wearing a gray hoodie, also took her rose gold watch, according to the woman. During Harris' trial, detectives told the jury what they found during a search of Harris' apartment. “There was a rose gold-colored Fossil watch that had like a gemmed face to it,” said Sgt.
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Jury selection begins in ‘Medical Center rapist’ case after plea deal struck down by judge
SAN ANTONIO – Jury selection began Tuesday in the case of the so-called Medical Center rapist. Anton Harris is accused of terrorizing the Medical Center area for about two years and committing five sexual assaults. Alleged Medical Center rapist claimed innocence after accepting plea deal, judge says[HI1]Last August, Harris pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault as part of a plea deal. But Judge Frank Castro rejected the plea deal, sending the case to trial. Harris is now facing the possibility of life in prison on each charge instead of the 40-year sentence he would have gotten from the plea deal.