HOUSTON – Another Harris County murder suspect is on the run after investigators say he cut off his court-ordered GPS monitor just days before his trial was set to begin.
The disappearance comes only weeks after another high-profile defendant accused of murder allegedly removed his ankle monitor and fled to Italy, raising renewed concerns about how effective electronic monitoring systems are for violent offenders awaiting trial.
Authorities say 32-year-old Walter Pozos is now considered a fugitive.
Pozos was facing a murder charge connected to a 2023 police chase in Harris County.
During the chase, investigators say Pozos reached speeds as high as 100 miles per hour before the chase ended in a crash that killed one of the passengers inside the vehicle.
Pozos was out on a $25,000 bond and ordered to wear a GPS monitor when he cut off his monitor two days before his new trial date.
The case is renewing criticism over Harris County’s use of GPS ankle monitors for defendants accused of serious violent crimes.
Questions are also surfacing about whether the monitoring systems provide enough oversight and how quickly law enforcement can respond once a monitor is tampered with or removed.
The latest incident comes as local officials continue debating bail reform policies and pretrial release conditions for felony defendants.
Meanwhile, concerns are growing over public safety and accountability after multiple defendants accused of violent crimes have allegedly escaped supervision while out on bond.
Authorities are asking anyone with information on Pozos whereabouts to contact 911.