Senator, attorney disagree over hospital transfer of man accused in Deputy Goforth's death

Sen. John Whitmire wants to expedite hospital transfer for Shannon Miles

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A war of words is erupting between a state senator and the attorney of an accused killer over an expedited transfer to a mental hospital.

Sen. John Whitmire wants to expedite the hospital transfer for Shannon Miles, the man accused of killing Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth in August.

Miles was found to be incompetent to stand trial.

"It's in everybody's best interest to get him to the hospital. I'm certain I made the right decision and would do it again," said Whitmire.

But Miles' attorney, Anthony Osso, said he thinks the fast transfer is a political move by Whitmire.

"I've never heard from this senator to say, 'Anthony, I'm concerned about your client's safety.' Let's move him somewhere," said Osso.

According to Osso, there are 61 other inmates ahead of Miles waiting to be transferred to the mental hospital.

Miles would have had to wait at least 100 days to be transferred to be treated and then deemed competent to return for trial.

"My client has to return to an environment where he was shown favoritism? I'm more concerned about the problem that creates," said Osso.

"I made the judgment call, the good judgement call, to put him at the front of the line, because the other 60 defendants waiting for beds did not have the same nature of crime," said Whitmire.

Whitmire said Miles will probably be transferred to the facility in Vernon in the next couple of days.