Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 26, 2006 16:21:34 GMT -5
Rosenthal to lead prosecution against cop-killing suspect
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said today that he will
lead the prosecution of the man accused of killing Houston police Officer
Rodney Johnson.
Referring to it as "coming out of retirement,'' Rosenthal said he could
not recall the last time he took part in prosecuting a case, but guessed
that it has been 2 or 3 years.
A judge, meanwhile, ordered this morning that Juan Leonardo Quintero
remain in the County Jail without bail.
Quintero, 32, is charged with capital murder in connection with the
shooting of Johnson near Hobby Airport on Thursday afternoon.
Johnson had stopped Quintero, a Mexican national, for a traffic violation
and arrested him because he had no identification. Police said Johnson
failed to detect that Quintero had a pistol hidden in his clothing.
Quintero, although handcuffed, managed to get his hands in front of him,
pull the gun and kill Johnson while locked in the backseat cage of the
officer's patrol car, investigators said.
Rosenthal said this is a "bizarre'' case because Quintero is accused of
killing Johnson even though Quintero was locked in the back of the car and
could not escape.
In this morning's hearing, state District Judge Joan Campbell granted a
defense request for funds for such expenses as hiring an investigator.
Rosenthal said he believes Quintero could come to trial sometime next
spring. The next step in the case will be another court hearing in 15
days, he said, and the case could go to a county grand jury shortly after
that.
The arrest of Quintero has renewed debate over the enforcement of
immigration laws and HPD's policy of not questioning suspects about their
residency.
Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt appeared on ABC television's "Good
Morning America," this morning where he accused the federal government of
not properly securing the nation's borders.
With 250,000 to 400,000 illegal immigrants believed to be living in the
Houston area, Hurtt said the resources are not available for HPD officers
to assume a greater role in immigration enforcement.
"I would need another 2,500 officers," Hurtt said. Hurtt was interviewed
for the ABC program from Charlotte, N.C., where he is attending a meeting
of the Major Cities Chiefs Assocation that he heads.
Quintero was deported as an illegal felon in 1999, following a charge of
indecency with a child, HPD officials said.
Court records show Quintero was given deferred adjudication in that case.
His previous criminal record included an arrest for driving while
intoxicated, for driving with a suspended licensed and for failing to stop
and give information after an automobile accident, HPD officials said.
(source: Houston Chronicle)
Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said today that he will
lead the prosecution of the man accused of killing Houston police Officer
Rodney Johnson.
Referring to it as "coming out of retirement,'' Rosenthal said he could
not recall the last time he took part in prosecuting a case, but guessed
that it has been 2 or 3 years.
A judge, meanwhile, ordered this morning that Juan Leonardo Quintero
remain in the County Jail without bail.
Quintero, 32, is charged with capital murder in connection with the
shooting of Johnson near Hobby Airport on Thursday afternoon.
Johnson had stopped Quintero, a Mexican national, for a traffic violation
and arrested him because he had no identification. Police said Johnson
failed to detect that Quintero had a pistol hidden in his clothing.
Quintero, although handcuffed, managed to get his hands in front of him,
pull the gun and kill Johnson while locked in the backseat cage of the
officer's patrol car, investigators said.
Rosenthal said this is a "bizarre'' case because Quintero is accused of
killing Johnson even though Quintero was locked in the back of the car and
could not escape.
In this morning's hearing, state District Judge Joan Campbell granted a
defense request for funds for such expenses as hiring an investigator.
Rosenthal said he believes Quintero could come to trial sometime next
spring. The next step in the case will be another court hearing in 15
days, he said, and the case could go to a county grand jury shortly after
that.
The arrest of Quintero has renewed debate over the enforcement of
immigration laws and HPD's policy of not questioning suspects about their
residency.
Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt appeared on ABC television's "Good
Morning America," this morning where he accused the federal government of
not properly securing the nation's borders.
With 250,000 to 400,000 illegal immigrants believed to be living in the
Houston area, Hurtt said the resources are not available for HPD officers
to assume a greater role in immigration enforcement.
"I would need another 2,500 officers," Hurtt said. Hurtt was interviewed
for the ABC program from Charlotte, N.C., where he is attending a meeting
of the Major Cities Chiefs Assocation that he heads.
Quintero was deported as an illegal felon in 1999, following a charge of
indecency with a child, HPD officials said.
Court records show Quintero was given deferred adjudication in that case.
His previous criminal record included an arrest for driving while
intoxicated, for driving with a suspended licensed and for failing to stop
and give information after an automobile accident, HPD officials said.
(source: Houston Chronicle)