Precinct 7 constable says all evidence accounted for

DA sends letter expressing concern over percinct's evidence room

HOUSTON – Harris County Precinct 7 Constable May Walker is trying to set the record straight, saying everything is accounted for in her property room and there is no missing evidence.

"We've been down that list many times to make sure it is in the property room. Nothing is missing from Precinct 7," Walker said. "There is no problem with our property room, not here at Precinct 7 and we're willing to open it."

On Thursday, the constable was informed that the Harris County District Attorney sent out a notice to prosecutors that stated in part, "We learned that there may be issues concerning evidence located at the Harris County Precinct 7 evidence and property room." They urged them to check if evidence or property is still there if they had a Precinct 7 case before proceeding with prosecution.

The letter was to be forwarded to the public defender's office and others.

Tyler Flood, the president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, said, "I don't even know what to say; I've never seen anything like this. This is unprecedented."

Reason enough for the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association to be concerned.

"When you get a notice like this, this is very serious. The D.A.'s office doesn't send out emails like this every day," said Flood.

But Walker said the issue wasn't with any evidence itself, rather the person responsible for the evidence room, who retired in June.

In July, when auditors came out, she said they couldn't find a certain piece of evidence.

According to the constable, she asked for time to reorganize and said that process was complete by August. She said all 3,500 to 4,000 pieces of evidence are there, and nothing is missing.

"I'm assuring the prosecutors, the district attorney and the community we have no missing property," said Walker.


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