Two Harris County Sheriff’s Deputies Arrested at Wedding

Keven Meyer

Christopher David Lock

Houston, Texas

Weddings are often stressful events, but one recent wedding in Northwest Houston turned into an all- out catastrophe, thanks to two Harris County Sheriff’s deputies. The funny thing is, one of the deputies was the groom.

Officials said deputies Kevin Meyer, 26, and Christopher David Lock, 32, were arrested on Saturday. Meyer was charged with interfering with the duties of a public servant and Lock was charged with trespassing.

The Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office said two deputy constables were working security at the wedding at SPJST Lodge, 1435 Beall, when the owner of the reception hall wanted the festivities to be shut down because they got out of hand.

Bride Raquel Gonzales said her father-in-law approached a man, who he thought was the manager, to ask him to resume serving alcohol. Gonzales said her father-in-law put his hand on the man's shoulder, not knowing that he was a Precinct 1 deputy constable out of uniform. Apparently, that particular deputy went all Barney Fife, accusing the father-in-law that he was assaulting a peace officer and would be arrested. Precinct 1 officials said that the father-in-law pushed the deputy constable.

When another deputy constable went to arrest the father, Meyer, who was the groom, walked over to one of the deputy constables and was told to stay out of the situation or he would be arrested. Lock came over next and deputy constables told him to leave, Gonzales said. She said Lock called his own supervisor, who advised him to stay. Meyer and Lock were both arrested. Precinct 1 officials said Meyer and Lock interfered with the father-in-law's arrest.

Meyer and Lock have posted bond and are due in court on Friday.

Meyer works in the Detention Unit. Lock is a patrol officer.

At a news conference Monday, Meyer's attorney, Jed Silverman, said the deputy constables at the reception refused to listen to any of the other witnesses. Silverman said he and Meyers plan to fight the charges and Meyers hopes to return to work soon.

Outrage Continues After Houston Police Kill Double Amputee in Wheelchair Armed With Ball-Point Pen

Houston, Texas

Following last week’s fatal shooting of a mentally ill, double-amputee in a wheelchair, armed with a ball-point pen by Houston police officer Matthew Marin, the questions continue to multiply. Brian Claunch, the disabled man, was shot in the head by officer Marin.

One of the biggest questions is, how did a man with one arm and one leg in a wheelchair manage to corner a Houston police officer? And why did another officer reach for his gun, rather than his Taser?

Even Houston Mayor Annise Parker has questions. "I don't know why a CIT officer was not dispatched," said the mayor. She is speaking of a Crisis Intervention Team officer, specially trained to handle similar situations.

At City Hall on Wednesday, elected officials asked for restraint.

Local organizations are speaking out about the incident, which follows other questionable actions at the hands of the Houston Police Department. Remember the Chad Holley case?

"I'm sick and tired of the same old thing from our police departments here in Houston. We want some action, we want the truth, we want the secrecy stopped. We want to see everything being done in this case, future cases, and past cases," said Arlene Kelly with Civilians Down. Civilians Down is a local organization that focuses on police-related shootings.

Since the first of this year, there have been 22 officer-involved shootings in Houston. That's compared to 15 in all of last year. Of those 22, ten suspects or citizens were killed, 13 were injured.

HPD Officer Abraham Joseph’s Rape Trial Resumes

Accused Rapist and Houston Police Officer Abraham Joseph

Houston, Texas

The trial of Houston police officer Abraham Joseph has resumed, with jurors hearing evidence of his police cruiser’s GPS information from the night of the alleged rape. They also got a chance to see photos of the victim’s injuries.

Former Houston Police Officer Abraham Joseph is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a park while he was on duty.

Jurors learned that Joseph did not make a check-in call, which is standard operating procedures when transporting a female. An investigator noted that Joseph never told dispatch he had picked up anybody.

He said, "Since I've been on the department for 28 years, it's always been grilled into me, that you get a time check when you have a female in custody. It's to protect the officer against allegations of wrongdoing."

A bigger problem for the defense may come with the judge’s next ruling. Prosecutors claim there are several additional women ready to take the stand and tell the jury Joseph raped them. The judge will rule on whether to allow jurors to hear their testimony.

According to KTRK-TV legal analyst Joel Androphy, "This is devastating testimony," he said. "If this comes in, he's toast."

The decision on whether to allow that testimony is expected on Monday.

Houston Police Department Has Some Explaining To Do After Killing Double-Amputee in a Wheelchair

Houston, Texas

We knew (or hoped) there would be more to the story involving the killing of a double-amputee in a wheelchair by Houston Police.

Fortunately, community activists have stepped forward and are demanding answers.

According to Houston police, an officer responded to a domestic disturbance complaint at a group home on Polk and Sidney in southwest Houston around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Police said the person in charge of the home said the man inside, Brian Claunch, 45, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, was threatening other residents.

"When officers arrived and went inside to speak to him, he was situated in a wheelchair holding an unknown object," said Jodi Silva with the Houston Police Department.

Claunch was in a wheelchair because he had lost his right arm and leg in a train accident.

The officers said Claunch was swinging the shiny object in a threatening manner towards them. Investigators said the officers told Claunch to drop the object, but he refused. Police said five-year veteran Matthew Marin then fired his gun at Claunch, shooting him in the head.

The Greater Houston Coalition for Justice is calling on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to launch a full investigation of "patterns and practices of civil rights violations by the Houston Police Department against minorities and others." The Texas Civil Rights Project has also demanded an open investigation.

"This killing is very disturbing," Texas Civil Rights Project director and attorney Amin Alehashem said. "HPD has not explained how or why two officers responding to a routine call came to feel threatened by a by a man in a wheelchair with two limbs and a pen. There are far too many questions left unanswered today for the public to blindly accept HPD's assurances that the shooting of this man in a wheelchair was justified."

And this isn’t the first time Houston police officer Matthew Marin has fatally used his weapon in uniform. Houston police records indicate that Marin also fatally shot a suspect in 2009.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker released a statement about the shooting.

"I want to express my condolences to Mr. Claunch's family and friends. As for any comment on the circumstances, there is a process in place to determine if the officer acted appropriately. In addition to the usual internal review, Chief McClelland has taken the additional step of asking the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) within the U.S. Department of Justice to monitor our investigation of this incident. Until the facts are in place, it is premature to draw any conclusions. I have utmost respect for the very difficult job of our Houston Police Department. However, if there were mistakes made, I know the police chief will take appropriate action," Parker said.

And, in the meantime, if you are anywhere in the vicinity of Houston police officer Matthew Marin, we would suggest you only use a feather pen.

Houston Police Officer Fatally Shoots Double Amputee in Wheelchair

Houston, Texas

A Houston police officer shot and killed a one-armed, one-legged man in a wheelchair Saturday inside a group home after police say the double amputee threatened the officer and aggressively waved a metal object that turned out to be a pen.

Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said the man cornered the officer in his wheelchair.

At the time, the officer did not know what the metal object was that the man was waving, Silva said.

She said the man did not follow instructions to calm down and remain still.

"Fearing for his partner's safety and his own safety, he discharged his weapon," Silva told The Associated Press.

Silva identified the officer as Matthew Jacob Marin, a five-year veteran of the department.

Houston police records indicate that Marin also fatally shot a suspect in 2009. Investigators at the time said Marin came upon a man stabbing his neighbor to death at an apartment complex and opened fired when the suspect refused to drop the knife.

Harris County Deputy Jesus Martinez Indicted on Drug Charges

Houston, Texas

A Harris County sheriff's deputy has been indicted on drug charges.

His name is Jesus Martinez. The 30-year-old deputy is accused of aiding in the delivery of ecstasy tablets.

"Every single one of the employees at the HCSO is expected to obey the law and play by the rules," Sheriff Adrian Garcia said. "If an employee becomes involved in criminal behavior then they should know that we will do everything in our power to make sure we find them the jail cell they deserve."

Garcia said Martinez has been terminated.

"Mr. Martinez owes an apology to his colleagues, his coworkers, and the residents of Harris County for tainting the reputation and hard work of the vast majority of my deputies who work hard, are honest, and exemplify ethical conduct at all times," Garcia said. "His actions have tainted the good work of our deputies who risk their lives every day to keep Harris County safe."

If convicted, Martinez would face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

Trial On Hold for HPD Officer and Accused Rapist Abraham Joseph

Houston police officer Abraham Joseph accused of multiple rapes

Houston, Texas

Folks have been asking about the status of the trial for Houston police officer Abraham Joseph, accused of raping a waitress from a local cantina. Joseph is also implicated in numerous other sexual assaults.

The latest news is that the trial (already underway) hit a roadblock and is on hold due to a family crisis for the judge.

The alleged victim was to spend her third day on the witness stand before the brakes were applied.

Joseph was indicted for sexual assault and fired from the Houston Police Department following the January 2011 incident involving the cantina waitress.

The waitress accused the officer of arresting, handcuffing, and then sexually assaulting her in a central southwest Houston park.

There is no indication at this point when the trial will continue.