With a stalled court system, some Texas jails are dangerously overcrowded in the pandemic
The Harris County Sheriffโs Office sounded the alarm as its jail population surpassed 9,000 people this month. (Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune)The pandemic has stalled much of the Texas criminal justice system. Overall, the number of people in Texas county jails is about the same as it was a year ago. โThe current revolving door at the Harris County courthouse is alarming,โ the lawmakers wrote. The pandemic has exacerbated the problem, with nearly 400 county inmates currently housed in a private federal jail or in other counties.
Off-duty Harris County deputy killed in motorcycle crash after leading funeral procession, officials say
Bruce Watson, a 20-year department veteran, was killed in a crash after finishing an off-duty job leading a funeral procession, according to the HCSO. HARRIS COUNTY, Texas โ The Harris County Sheriffโs Office is mourning the loss of one of their own on Saturday. Bruce Watson, a 20-year department veteran, was killed in a motorcycle crash while on his way home after finishing an off-duty job leading a funeral procession, according to the HCSO. โOur entire Sheriffโs Office family is grieving the sudden loss of our long-time brother,โ said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez in a statement. Watson was also a detention sergeant in the Harris County Jail, a patrol field training officer and an instructor at the training academy, the sheriffโs office said.
Ted Cruz says he doesnโt want to join the Supreme Court after being shortlisted by Trump
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at a service held for Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is making clear that he's not interested in serving on the U.S. Supreme Court, despite President Donald Trump recently naming him to a group of potential nominees. Cruz, the former solicitor general of Texas, has been mentioned before as a possible Supreme Court pick, and he's given a similar answer. Trump also named a second Texan, James Ho, to his list of potential Supreme Court picks. Cruz has written a book about the Supreme Court that is due out Oct. 6.
Harris County Sheriffs Office deputy loses battle against COVID-19
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas The Harris County Sheriffs Office is mourning the loss of one of its own after a courageous battle against COVID-19.Deputy Juan Menchaca, 70, was hospitalized for several weeks after coming into contact with the virus, according to officials. The sheriffs office announced his passing Saturday, June 13. Deputy Menchaca served for 14 years with the sheriffs office and was assigned to the courts division. The sheriffs office said Deputy Menchaca will be terribly missed by all who knew him. He is the second sheriffs office employee to succumb to COVID-19, officials said.