Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Controversy for Galena Park Police: Sex, Lies and Audiotape?
Houston, Texas
The Galena Park Police Department has about 20 officers. A storm is brewing, bringing forth allegations of discrimination, intimate relationships in the workplace, harassment, intimidation, lewd photos and audio recordings.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Harris County District Attorney's Office Defending Itself In Court Today In Connection To DWI Bat Vans
Houston, Texas
In the ongoing investigation of the City of Houston and HPD’s controversial DWI BAT vans, four members of the Harris County District Attorney's office will be in court today. Instead of their usual duties prosecuting cases, they will be explaining what they were doing with what was supposed to be secret information.
Two prosecutors and two court reporters will have to explain to a judge why they have transcripts of what should have been secret grand jury testimony.
The obtaining records of that testimony by these four would be a violation of a court order. That is why assistant district attorneys Carl Hobbs and Steve Morris, and court reporters Javier Leal and Katherine Chagaris, are required to appear before a judge today.
At this hearing they must prove why they should not be held in contempt, and sanctioned.
At this hearing they must prove why they should not be held in contempt, and sanctioned.
The Timeline of Coverage (KTRK-TV)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Houston Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Misapplying Union Funds
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| Houston Police Officer Jeff Larson Pleads Guilty |
Houston, Texas
A former Houston Police officer and police union treasurer pleaded guilty to misapplying union assets on Thursday.
Jeff Larson was charged with misdemeanor of fiduciary property.
As part of his punishment, Larson must hand in his badge and pay restitution, the Houston Police Officers Union says.
Larson was one of three union members charged with misapplying union assets.
“As disappointing as the actions of these former officials were, the filing of criminal charges against them and the resulting sentences have allowed the HPOU to move forward and recover some of our monetary losses,” a statement read.
Texas Judge Will Not Face Charges for Beating Daughter
Aransas County, Texas
Thursday, Rockport Police Chief Tim Jayroe said Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams won't face charges in the 2004 beating of this then-16-year-old daughter Hillary because the five-year statute of limitations has expired.
Had the incident come to light sooner, Adams likely would have been charged with causing injury to a child or other assault-related offenses, Jayroe said.
"We believe that there was a criminal offense involved and that there was substantial evidence to indicate that, and under normal circumstances ... a charge could have been made," Jayroe said.
He said the district attorney determined he couldn't bring charges, though police will discuss the case with federal prosecutors even though he doesn't believe federal charges would apply.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
New Developments in Judge Adams Beating Situation: Daughter Speaks Out and Investigation Begins
"Beaten Daughter of Texas Judge Williams Adams Speaks About Viral YouTube Video"
Aransas County, Texas
The daughter of Judge William Adams, Hillary, is speaking out about the viral YouTube video depicting her father brutally beating her. Hillary Adams says that until last week, only a couple of close friends knew about the savage beating she received seven years ago from the Texas judge who handles child abuse cases.
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| Aransas County Judge William Adams |
The clip was shot in 2004 and shows William Adams violently whipping his teenage daughter in the legs more than a dozen times and profanely berating the teenager for more than seven minutes.
Hillary Adams stressed that she did not post the video as revenge and does not want her father punished. Rather, she did it because she thinks it will force him to seek help, and because he has been harassing her and she thought posting the clip would make that stop.
Rockport Police, the Texas Rangers and the Aransas County District Attorney are investigating. Another judge will take over William Adams' caseload until the matter is fully investigated.
Police launched an investigation Wednesday after receiving calls from people who saw the video online.
"I was disgusted. I was appalled," said Legal Analyst Brian Wice.
Wice said the judge was elected to a four-year term, but could be forced to leave earlier.
"I think the judge should be as concerned if not more concerned with losing his bench if the Commission on Judicial Conduct believes that he no longer has the right, the privilege, the entitlement to be county court at law judge," Wice said.
By the way, Judge Adams has issued a response.
A "Do Not Re-Elect Judge William Adams Facebook page has been set-up. Check it out here.
Also, the courthouse (after being bombarded with calls of concern), issued the following:
N E W S R E L E A S E
County of Aransas, 301 N. Live Oak, Rockport, Texas 78382
Aransas County Judge C. H. "Burt" Mills, Jr., 361-790-0100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2011ARANSAS COUNTY, TEXAS - Judge Burt Mills has today announced that Aransas County is aware of the video posted on YouTube regarding County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams, and the matter is now under review by the Police Department. Please refrain from communication with County offices or the Sheriff's Department on this matter until the review has been completed. Calls, emails, and faxes only create disruptions for other ongoing county business. The public's cooperation would be most appreciated.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
YouTube Video Alleges Texas Judge Beat Daughter for Internet Use
Houston, Texas
A video has surfaced on YouTube and is quickly approaching a million views, allegedly showing a Texas judge beating his daughter for her use of the Internet.
The video, allegedly shot in 2004, was uploaded last Thursday.
It shows a man violently beating his daughter with a belt while using strong language. The girl’s mother is also shown taking part in the harsh punishment.
Highlights:
"Bend over the fucking bed!!" he screams as he belts her while she tries to squirm away. At another point he threatens to hit her "in your fucking face."
The video runs more than seven minutes long and carries this caption:
“2004: Aransas County Court-At-Law Judge William Adams took a belt to his own teenage daughter as punishment for using the internet to acquire music and games that were unavailable for legal purchase at the time. She has had ataxic cerebral palsy from birth that led her to a passion for technology, which was strictly forbidden by her father's backwards views."
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| Judge William Adams |
It might be important to consider the timing of the video submission. The judge is up for re-election. At any rate, here's the video.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Ranger Police Officer Arrested for Stalking and Assault
Abilene, Texas
A Ranger police officer was arrested over the weekend and now faces felony charges, including stalking and assault. According to authorities, Jonathan Blevins Matthis repeatedly punched a woman and sent her text messages threatening her with bodily harm.
The 28-year-old police officer, Matthis, was arrested Friday and charged with stalking, assault and making terroristic threats. Matthis has since been released from the Eastland County Jail on a combined bond of $105,000.
Court records lay out the timeline of abuse.
Matthis began dating the victim in February, when the woman was a senior in high school. The woman now attends Cisco College. According to an arrest warrant filed by Texas Rangers, who assisted in the investigation, Matthis worked part time for the Munday Police Department before becoming a full-time officer with the Ranger Police Department.
At the time the relationship began, Matthis lived in Arlington and worked two weekends a month for the Munday Police Department, according to court records.
The woman, whose age was not given, said the relationship became abusive, and Matthis "would shove her around and throw her on the ground," court records indicate.
The victim told Texas Rangers that she found out she was pregnant with Matthis' baby in July, and that he forced her to get an abortion, according to the criminal complaint.
The woman said Matthis was fired from the Munday Police Department as a result of rumors of an improper relationship, according to the criminal complaint.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman said the pair would have sex every weekend night that Matthis was in town to work. The relationship continued when he became employed in Ranger, she said, and the two would have sex in the Ranger Police Station when no other officers were around.
In mid-August, Matthis is alleged to have punched the woman in the face during an argument at the police station.
Another argument erupted in late August, also at the police station, according to the criminal complaint. Matthis is alleged to have pinned her against the wall by her arms and then bent over and bit her in the upper-right chest area, causing heavy bruising.
During the alleged assault, the woman said she doubled over in pain, and Matthis continued to punch her in the head and abdomen, according to the criminal complaint.
The woman suffered black eyes from the assault, according to the complaint.
After the alleged assault, the woman ended the relationship, according to the complaint, but after about a month, Matthis contacted her to continue the affair.
After she resisted, Matthis is alleged to have begun stalking her, according to the criminal complaint.
Matthis, the woman said, began sending her text messages indicating he knew where she was and was watching her.
One message said, "Baby you know I love u I only hit you because you deserve it I refuse to let u go again u can't walk out on me what u would get is a thousand times worse than a beating," according to the criminal complaint.
Matthis also sent threatening messages to a man he believed was the woman's boyfriend, court records state.
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