After ex-officers acquitted, head of SAPD union wants Chief McManus out over ‘knee-jerk’ reactions
Read full article: After ex-officers acquitted, head of SAPD union wants Chief McManus out over ‘knee-jerk’ reactionsA week after three former San Antonio Police Department officers were acquitted in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez, the president of a local police union wants to put a vote of no confidence forward at the union’s next meeting.
Relief, reflection and apology: Acquitted ex-SAPD officers speak out days after not guilty verdicts
Read full article: Relief, reflection and apology: Acquitted ex-SAPD officers speak out days after not guilty verdictsFor the first time since being found not guilty in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez, two of the three former San Antonio police officers are speaking publicly about the verdict and the toll the case took on them and their families.
‘Slap in the face’: Families’ criticism mounts over Bexar County DA’s handling of high-profile cases
Read full article: ‘Slap in the face’: Families’ criticism mounts over Bexar County DA’s handling of high-profile casesFamilies connected to high-profile Bexar County cases are voicing their frustrations with the district attorney’s office, saying they’ve been left in the dark about major decisions and are demanding accountability from DA Joe Gonzales.
After ex-SAPD officers’ acquittal, police union and defense attorneys call for accountability
Read full article: After ex-SAPD officers’ acquittal, police union and defense attorneys call for accountabilityA day after three former San Antonio police officers were acquitted in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez, both the San Antonio Police Officers Association and the defense team are demanding accountability and political change in Bexar County.
How the Bexar County DA’s Office, SAPD and San Antonio police union reacted to ex-SAPD officers’ not guilty verdict
Read full article: How the Bexar County DA’s Office, SAPD and San Antonio police union reacted to ex-SAPD officers’ not guilty verdictMultiple organizations, including the San Antonio Police Officers Association, shared their reactions with KSAT to the three former SAPD officers acquitted in Melissa Perez's death.
FULL VERDICT TIMELINE: The 21st — and final day — in trial of ex-SAPD officers charged with Melissa Perez’s murder
Read full article: FULL VERDICT TIMELINE: The 21st — and final day — in trial of ex-SAPD officers charged with Melissa Perez’s murderFollowing approximately 90 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned not guilty verdicts for Eleazar Alejandro, Alfred Flores and Nathan Villalobos on Monday afternoon.
Prosecution rebuttal witness disqualified from testifying to jury in ex-SAPD officers’ murder trial
Read full article: Prosecution rebuttal witness disqualified from testifying to jury in ex-SAPD officers’ murder trialA longtime forensic criminologist ended testimony on Friday as the trial of three ex-SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez’s 2023 death completed its 20th day.
3D forensic expert shows jurors analysis of Melissa Perez shooting in trial’s 19th day
Read full article: 3D forensic expert shows jurors analysis of Melissa Perez shooting in trial’s 19th dayA 3D forensic analyst took the stand on Thursday in the trial of three ex-SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez's shooting death.
Crime expert with nearly five decades of experience called to testify on Day 18 in Melissa Perez murder trial
Read full article: Crime expert with nearly five decades of experience called to testify on Day 18 in Melissa Perez murder trialOne day after calling its first active SAPD officer to testify, the joint defense team called Kendall County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Thomas Matjeka, its fourth witness, to the stand on Wednesday.
Joint defense team called active SAPD officer in Day 17 of Melissa Perez murder trial
Read full article: Joint defense team called active SAPD officer in Day 17 of Melissa Perez murder trialThe defense team representing three former San Antonio police officers charged in Melissa Perez's death called Travis Thompson, its first active officer, to the stand on Tuesday afternoon.
‘Murder is hard to prove’: Expert weighs odds in former San Antonio police officers’ trial
Read full article: ‘Murder is hard to prove’: Expert weighs odds in former San Antonio police officers’ trialAs the trial of three former San Antonio police officers accused in the shooting death of Melissa Perez nears jury deliberations, questions loom over what it would take for jurors to reach a not-guilty verdict.
Retired SAPD detective spoke to 3 officers who drew their weapons — but did not fire — at Melissa Perez
Read full article: Retired SAPD detective spoke to 3 officers who drew their weapons — but did not fire — at Melissa PerezLisa Miller, a former San Antonio police detective and sergeant, took the stand on Monday afternoon in the trial of three ex-officers charged in Melissa Perez’s 2023 death.
‘Their behavior was reasonable’: Witness defends ex-officers on trial for Melissa Perez death
Read full article: ‘Their behavior was reasonable’: Witness defends ex-officers on trial for Melissa Perez deathBexar County prosecutors officially rested their case on Friday in the murder trial of three former SAPD officers.
Convictions in police murder cases extremely rare, expert says
Read full article: Convictions in police murder cases extremely rare, expert saysThe trial of three former San Antonio police officers accused in the shooting death of Melissa Perez is drawing attention to just how rare it is for officers to face murder charges — and even rarer for them to be convicted.
Defense attorney notes new inconsistency in SAPD detective’s Melissa Perez death investigation
Read full article: Defense attorney notes new inconsistency in SAPD detective’s Melissa Perez death investigationThom Nisbet, a co-defense attorney for ex-SAPD Sgt. Alfred Flores, grilled SAPD detective Ronald Soto in court on Thursday. Soto said he mixed up another detail in his investigation into Melissa Perez's 2023 death.
SAPD detective’s body-worn camera shows interaction with Melissa Perez’s family after her death
Read full article: SAPD detective’s body-worn camera shows interaction with Melissa Perez’s family after her deathFollowing a sometimes contentious Tuesday in court, a San Antonio police detective returned to the stand on Wednesday morning for his third day of testimony.
Joint defense team grills lead SAPD detective in Melissa Perez murder case
Read full article: Joint defense team grills lead SAPD detective in Melissa Perez murder caseTuesday’s court testimony shed new light on how San Antonio police filed arrest warrants for three ex-officers charged in Melissa Perez’s 2023 death.
Judge denies multiple state expert witnesses from testifying in Melissa Perez murder trial
Read full article: Judge denies multiple state expert witnesses from testifying in Melissa Perez murder trialThe joint defense of three former SAPD officers asked presiding Judge Ron Rangel to bar state expert witnesses from taking the stand on Monday.
Defense, prosecution weigh SAPD detective’s credibility as witness in Melissa Perez murder trial
Read full article: Defense, prosecution weigh SAPD detective’s credibility as witness in Melissa Perez murder trialDefense attorneys for three ex-SAPD officers charged with murdering Melissa Perez and Bexar County prosecutors sparred on Thursday over the testimony from an SAPD detective who took a statement from former Sgt. Alfred Flores.
Bexar County medical examiner describes where, how often Melissa Perez was wounded by gunfire
Read full article: Bexar County medical examiner describes where, how often Melissa Perez was wounded by gunfireThe person in charge of conducting Melissa Perez’s 2023 autopsy report took the stand on Wednesday afternoon.
Jury reviews crime scene photos in trial of ex-SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez shooting death
Read full article: Jury reviews crime scene photos in trial of ex-SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez shooting deathThe images presented in court on Tuesday included photos of shell casings and scenes from inside Melissa Perez’s apartment. Jurors also saw the actual hammer she used in SAPD body camera footage on June 23, 2023.
Crime scene investigator gives jurors new look at Melissa Perez’s home on Day 8 of ex-officers’ trial
Read full article: Crime scene investigator gives jurors new look at Melissa Perez’s home on Day 8 of ex-officers’ trialDuring Monday’s testimony, San Antonio Police Department officer Andrew Chernak told jurors he believed the officers on the patio were justified in their actions at Melissa Perez’s apartment on June 23, 2023.
Defense continues to challenge state’s case in Melissa Perez murder trial of former SAPD officers
Read full article: Defense continues to challenge state’s case in Melissa Perez murder trial of former SAPD officersThe trial for three former San Antonio police officers charged in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez continued Monday with the defense questioning the state’s theory that the officers acted without justification.
3 ex-SAPD officers’ trial in Melissa Perez murder case enters second full week
Read full article: 3 ex-SAPD officers’ trial in Melissa Perez murder case enters second full weekDuring Monday’s testimony, SAPD officer Andrew Chernak told jurors he believed the officers on the patio were justified in their actions at Melissa Perez’s apartment on June 23, 2023.
Responding SAPD officer cites miscommunication on tactical plan at Melissa Perez’s home
Read full article: Responding SAPD officer cites miscommunication on tactical plan at Melissa Perez’s homeA chaotic Friday in court ended with a witness invoking their constitutional right, multiple denied mistrials and why a plan to enter Melissa Perez’s home never materialized.
Ex-sergeant on trial ‘OK’d decision to enter Melissa Perez’s home, SAPD officer says
Read full article: Ex-sergeant on trial ‘OK’d decision to enter Melissa Perez’s home, SAPD officer saysA San Antonio police officer ended his nearly four-day stint on the stand on Thursday, and a second SAPD officer offered insight as to why he entered a Southwest Side woman’s apartment before it became a deadly encounter.
Questioning of SAPD officer continues in Day 4 of ex-officers charged in Melissa Perez’s death
Read full article: Questioning of SAPD officer continues in Day 4 of ex-officers charged in Melissa Perez’s deathOnly one witness took the stand for nearly four-and-a-half full hours of testimony on Tuesday. That same witness, SAPD officer Jesus Rojas, spent the entirety of Wednesday back on the bench.
From courtroom to community: How the Melissa Perez case could have lasting impact on law enforcement
Read full article: From courtroom to community: How the Melissa Perez case could have lasting impact on law enforcementAnother day of testimony wrapped up in the high-profile trial of three former San Antonio police officers accused in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez, a case closely watched for what it could mean for how law enforcement responds to mental health crises.
Body camera video shows different SAPD officer’s perspective of Melissa Perez shooting
Read full article: Body camera video shows different SAPD officer’s perspective of Melissa Perez shootingThe third day in the joint trial of three ex-San Antonio police officers concluded Tuesday evening after an emotional Day 2.
Jurors view first moments of SAPD response in Melissa Perez shooting case
Read full article: Jurors view first moments of SAPD response in Melissa Perez shooting caseJurors on Monday saw the first body camera footage from the night Melissa Perez was fatally shot by San Antonio police officers in June 2023, as the trial for three former officers charged in her death entered its second day.
WATCH LIVE: Day 2 in trial of ex-SAPD officers charged in death of San Antonio woman continues Monday
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Day 2 in trial of ex-SAPD officers charged in death of San Antonio woman continues MondayThe 2023 police shooting of Melissa Perez, a case that drew national attention, has resumed court proceedings on Monday morning.
Tensions boil again as trial is underway for ex-SAPD officers charged in death of San Antonio woman
Read full article: Tensions boil again as trial is underway for ex-SAPD officers charged in death of San Antonio womanTwo days after a feisty pretrial hearing, the prosecution and the defense sparred once more on Day 1 of the ex-officers’ trial Friday inside the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center.
Open Court: Trial begins in fatal shooting involving 3 ex-SAPD officers
Read full article: Open Court: Trial begins in fatal shooting involving 3 ex-SAPD officersThe case against three former San Antonio police officers charged in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez, a woman who experienced a mental health crisis, will go to trial this week in a case that has drawn national attention and renewed scrutiny of police response protocols.
Pretrial hearing gets tense ahead of trial for 3 ex-SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez’s death
Read full article: Pretrial hearing gets tense ahead of trial for 3 ex-SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez’s deathA pretrial hearing grew heated Wednesday as attorneys sparred over key issues ahead of the trial for three former San Antonio police officers charged in the death of Melissa Perez.
3 former SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez’s death appear in court ahead of trial
Read full article: 3 former SAPD officers charged in Melissa Perez’s death appear in court ahead of trialThree former San Antonio police officers who are accused of shooting and killing Melissa Perez in 2023 appeared in court on Wednesday ahead of their trial.
DISMISSED: Civil case against 3 ex-SAPD officers filed by Melissa Perez’s family dismissed, records show
Read full article: DISMISSED: Civil case against 3 ex-SAPD officers filed by Melissa Perez’s family dismissed, records showThe civil case against three former San Antonio police officers accused of shooting and killing Melissa Perez in her Southwest Side apartment have been dismissed, court records show.
Fired SAPD lieutenant indicted, accused of altering discipline records in Melissa Perez case
Read full article: Fired SAPD lieutenant indicted, accused of altering discipline records in Melissa Perez caseA San Antonio police lieutenant fired last year after an internal affairs investigation determined he altered discipline records in the Melissa Perez shooting case has now been criminally charged, court records obtained by KSAT Investigates show.
Defense raises questions over possible missing evidence in ex-SAPD officers’ deadly shooting case
Read full article: Defense raises questions over possible missing evidence in ex-SAPD officers’ deadly shooting caseDefense attorneys for three former San Antonio police officers accused in the 2023 shooting death of Melissa Perez are questioning missing evidence and calling the investigation “botched” as the case nears trial.
Judge dismisses 2 ex-SAPD officers from civil lawsuit filed by Melissa Perez’s family, records show
Read full article: Judge dismisses 2 ex-SAPD officers from civil lawsuit filed by Melissa Perez’s family, records showA U.S. Magistrate Judge dismissed two former San Antonio police officers listed as defendants in the civil lawsuit filed on behalf of Melissa Perez.
Family of woman killed during mental health crisis continues fight for justice nearly two years later
Read full article: Family of woman killed during mental health crisis continues fight for justice nearly two years laterAnother hearing happened on Tuesday for the three ex-SAPD officers charged with Melissa Perez’s death. But there wasn’t much movement in the case.
First hearing in new court reset for ex-SAPD officers charged in woman’s death
Read full article: First hearing in new court reset for ex-SAPD officers charged in woman’s deathThe case of three former San Antonio police officers charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman inside her apartment had its first hearing reset before it could begin.
New judge appointed in case of 3 ex-SAPD officers charged in connection with fatal shooting of woman
Read full article: New judge appointed in case of 3 ex-SAPD officers charged in connection with fatal shooting of womanThe case of three former San Antonio police officers charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman inside her apartment last summer has been moved to Judge Ron Rangel’s 379th Criminal District Court.
Judge recused from case involving 3 ex-SAPD officers accused of fatally shooting woman
Read full article: Judge recused from case involving 3 ex-SAPD officers accused of fatally shooting womanJudge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court will not be presiding over the case of three former SAPD officers charged with fatally shooting a woman inside her apartment last summer.
Trial date set for three former SAPD officers accused of fatally shooting woman inside her apartment
Read full article: Trial date set for three former SAPD officers accused of fatally shooting woman inside her apartmentA trial date has been set for three former SAPD officers charged with fatally shooting a woman inside her apartment last summer.
How has the city handled mental health calls since the death of Melissa Perez?
Read full article: How has the city handled mental health calls since the death of Melissa Perez?Over the last year, Melissa Perez’s death has pushed people across San Antonio to question how the city handles mental health calls.
‘My mom didn’t deserve that’: Daughter of woman shot, killed by SAPD seeks justice nearly 1 year later
Read full article: ‘My mom didn’t deserve that’: Daughter of woman shot, killed by SAPD seeks justice nearly 1 year laterJust days before the one-year mark of her death, Melissa Perez’s family still can’t believe what happened.
Records: SAPD lieutenant fired for leaving shift early gets second indefinite suspension for altering discipline files
Read full article: Records: SAPD lieutenant fired for leaving shift early gets second indefinite suspension for altering discipline filesA San Antonio police lieutenant fired last year for leaving his shift early the night officers shot and killed a woman inside her Southwest Side apartment, has received a second indefinite suspension for altering discipline files tied to the case, records confirm.
SAPD lieutenant fired, sergeant suspended for leaving shifts early the night Melissa Perez was shot, killed
Read full article: SAPD lieutenant fired, sergeant suspended for leaving shifts early the night Melissa Perez was shot, killedAn SAPD lieutenant has been terminated and a sergeant has been suspended seven days after each of them left their assigned shifts early the night Melissa Perez was shot and killed inside her Southwest Side apartment, discipline records obtained by KSAT Investigates show.
Murder charges for San Antonio law enforcement rare, cases are tough for attorneys to try
Read full article: Murder charges for San Antonio law enforcement rare, cases are tough for attorneys to tryIt's rare for a law enforcement officer to be charged with murder in Bexar County. Attorneys say it's a challenge to try those cases.
3 SAPD officers indicted in shooting death of Melissa Perez
Read full article: 3 SAPD officers indicted in shooting death of Melissa PerezThree San Antonio Police Department officers were indicted by a grand jury Thursday, nearly six months after the shooting death of a 46-year-old woman inside her Southwest Side apartment.
Family and friends honor 17 people in San Antonio killed in police, deputy shootings
Read full article: Family and friends honor 17 people in San Antonio killed in police, deputy shootingsThis comes on the eve of October 22nd National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, and the day after Andre "AJ" Hernandez's birthday. He was the 13-year-old boy shot and killed by SAPD in 2022.
‘We need more officers’: SAPD looks to expand mental health unit after scrutiny over response this past summer
Read full article: ‘We need more officers’: SAPD looks to expand mental health unit after scrutiny over response this past summerIt's been three months since officers shot and killed Melissa Perez. The department is working to expand its mental health unit to increase its response.
SAPD wants more patrol officers, but council members’ minds are on mental health
Read full article: SAPD wants more patrol officers, but council members’ minds are on mental healthThough council members avoided discussing it in detail, the police shooting death of a woman while she was believed to be in a mental health episode seemed to hang over a police budget discussion.
2 of 3 SAPD officers charged with murder of woman have multiple past suspensions
Read full article: 2 of 3 SAPD officers charged with murder of woman have multiple past suspensionsTwo of the three San Antonio Police Department officers who were charged with murder last month have multiple past suspensions, records obtained by KSAT show.
Mental health advocates urge immediate action after SAPD officers charged with murder in death of Melissa Perez
Read full article: Mental health advocates urge immediate action after SAPD officers charged with murder in death of Melissa PerezNAMI San Antonio has a "warn line" where families and community members can call for help finding resources before a loved one has a mental health crisis.
St. Mary’s professor gives insight into murder charges for SAPD officers in Melissa Perez’s shooting death
Read full article: St. Mary’s professor gives insight into murder charges for SAPD officers in Melissa Perez’s shooting deathThere are still many unanswered questions after Melissa Perez’s death. Perez was shot and killed by three San Antonio police officers early Friday morning in her apartment in the 6200 block of Old Pearsall Road.
Daughter of woman killed by San Antonio police officers tells GMA ‘she didn’t deserve this’
Read full article: Daughter of woman killed by San Antonio police officers tells GMA ‘she didn’t deserve this’The daughter of a woman killed by three San Antonio police officers and her attorney are speaking out days after the officers were charged with murder.
What we know about 3 San Antonio police officers charged with murder in death of Melissa Perez
Read full article: What we know about 3 San Antonio police officers charged with murder in death of Melissa PerezSAPD Chief William McManus said Friday night the officers didn’t follow department training or policy and “used deadly force, which was not reasonable given all the circumstances as we now understand them.”