Army disciplines 21 at Fort Hood in probe of soldier's death
The Army said Friday that it has now taken disciplinary action against 21 officers and non-commissioned officers at Fort Hood, Texas, in connection with death last year of Spc. Vanessa Guillรฉn, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found.
Suspect in Vanessa Guillen case asks judge to toss out confession
HOUSTON โ Lawyers for Cecily Aguilar, the woman charged in connection with the disappearance of Vanessa Guillen, moved to suppress evidence that her confession was illegally obtained, according to court documents filed Wednesday. The defense stated that Aguilarโs statements on June 30, 2020, were made while she was not under arrest and was not Mirandized, according to court documents. Aguilar is charged with conspiracy to tamper with the body of Gullien, a Fort Hood soldier who was reported missing in April 2020. Aguilar went on to conduct several controlled calls to Robinson and told officers Robinson would try to escape or shoot himself before being taken into custody. According to Aguilarโs account, on April 22, Robinson killed Guillen by hitting her in the head with a hammer while at Fort Hood.
Congress vows to watch Army response to Fort Hood violence
Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy speaks about an investigation into Fort Hood, Texas at the Pentagon, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, in Washington. A day after Army officials released an independent panel's report on chronic leadership failures and widespread violence at Fort Hood, lawmakers said they will ensure the Army makes long-delayed changes. Elder Fernandes, who was missing for more than a week before he was found dead about 28 miles from Fort Hood. Army leaders concluded that leadership failures contributed to the widespread crime problems at Fort Hood. The five-member panel spent three weeks at Fort Hood and conducted more than 2,500 interviews, including 647 in person.
Congressional subcommittees will investigate Fort Hood's leadership after a string of deaths
Two congressional subcommittees are investigating the leadership at Fort Hood following a series of deaths and instances of sexual abuse and harassment. The soldier suspected of killing Guillen, Spc. Guillen was the victim of sexual harassment, her sister said, but she didnt report the sexual harassment out of fear of retaliation. Gregory Wedel-Morales, a private at Fort Hood whose body was found in June, nearly a year after he went missing in August 2019. Between 2014 and 2019, an average of 129 felonies were committed annually at Fort Hood, including murder, kidnapping and sexual assault, according to the letter.
Army asks for help in a search for missing Fort Hood soldier
FORT HOOD, Texas โ The U.S. Army is asking for the publicโs help in a search for another missing soldier in Texas. Fort Hood officials issued a missing soldier alert Thursday night for Sgt. Gregory Morales, 24, a Fort Hood soldier who was reported missing on Aug. 20, 2019. Vanessa Guillรฉn, 20, a Fort Hood soldier who had been missing since April. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has commented that Fort Hood has one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault and harassment in the Army.
Vanessa Guillen timeline: These are the dates to know about her case
HOUSTON โ Here is a timeline of the Vanessa Guillen case, from the alleged details about her death to the most current information available about the court proceedings. APRILApril 22, 2020: Vanessa Guillen went missing on April 22. AUGUSTAug. 14, 2020: Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen remembered during a public memorial at Houstonโs Chavez High School. Sept. 22, 2020: Should a plea bargain be entered for Cecily Ann Aguilar, re-arraignment will be held on Sept. 22, according to court documents. Sept. 28, 2020: Cecily Ann Aguilar is set to appear before a judge on Sept. 28 following jury selection.
Vanessa Guillen death a #MeToo moment for the military? Congresswomen continue to call for full investigation, change
HOUSTON โ Three congresswomen continued to call for a full investigation into the death of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen and changes to military culture in a news conference on Tuesday in Washington. This can never happen again.โGuillenโs death has been called a #MeToo moment for the military. The 20-year-old was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier, investigators say. We know that at least one in four women veterans has experienced sexual harassment and assault. That is far, far too many, but I have to say that this statistic alone, it is staggering.
Bond denied after suspect pleads not guilty in Vanessa Guillen case
AUSTIN, Texas A 22-year-old woman accused of helping hide the body of a slain Texas soldier pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges related to the crime. Cecily Aguilar of Killeen, near Fort Hood, entered the pleas Tuesday in federal court in Waco to three conspiracy charges in the death of Army Spc. Vanessa Guilln, 20. A judge denied bond for Aguilar and she will remain in the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas, while awaiting trial, KCEN TV reports. She said they will continue to build a whistleblower case for the slain soldier and asked anyone with information on Aguilar to come forward.
Army: Independent probe to look into Fort Hood command after Vanessa Guillens death
Vanessa Guillen, who investigators say was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier. That day, Robinson was identified as a person of concern based on information that he provided investigators during his interview, Army officials said. The Army says the gun Robinson used was not issued by Fort Hood, but it's unclear where he got it. Army officials said 52 agents from multiple military and civilian law enforcement agencies have conducted more than 300 interviews investigating Guillen's killing. That has lasted for more than 170 days, and Army officials say that has led to forensic examinations of more than 50 phones.
Army: Independent probe coming after Fort Hood soldier death
Vanessa Guillen, who investigators say was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier. Aguilar, 22, of Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, is currently in custody at the Bell County Jail. The Army says the gun Robinson used was not issued by Fort Hood, but it's unclear where he got it. Army officials said 52 agents from multiple military and civilian law enforcement agencies have conducted more than 300 interviews investigating Guillen's killing. That has lasted for more than 170 days, and Army officials say that has led to forensic examinations of more than 50 phones.
Army identifies buried remains as missing Texas soldier
Juan Cruz, boyfriend of Army soldier Vanessa Guilln, kneels in front of a mural honoring her Sunday, July 5, 2020, in Houston. (Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP)AUSTIN, Texas An Army commander confirmed Monday that dismembered remains found last week buried near Fort Hood belonged to a 20-year-old soldier who vanished more than two months ago from the Texas base. Vanessa Guilln. A day earlier, an attorney for Guilln's family had said Army officials told the family at their Houston home that the remains were hers. Guilln's family has said that they believe she was sexually harassed by Robinson and is calling for a congressional investigation.
Woman charged in connection with disappearance of Vanessa Guillen set to appear in court
WACO, Texas โ The woman arrested in connection with the disappearance of Fort. Hood soldier, Vanessa Guillen is expected to appear in court Monday. Aaron Robinson, who is believed to have killed Guillen reportedly asked his estranged wife, Aguilar, for help dismembering and attempting to burn Guillenโs body, officials said. According to Aguilar, Robinson killed Guillen โby striking her in the head with a hammer while on Ft. โShe was very bold minded.โAguilar is set to remain in custody after her court appearance.
Hundreds march from Discovery Green to city hall to demand justice for Vanessa Guillen
HOUSTON โ Hundreds of people marched from Discovery Green to Houstonโs city hall in honor of 20-year-old Vanessa Guillen. The Houston native, who was missing since April, is believed to have been bludgeoned to death on the Fort Hood army base in Kileen. Lupe Guillen, Vanessaโs sister, choked back tears as she addressed the large crowd. Other protesters, like Yvette Villegas, were at the event demanding those responsible for Guillenโs death be held accountable. โI donโt think any woman or anybody should have to go through this whether sheโs in uniform or not,โ Villegas said.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, July 3
Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday requiring all Texans to wear masks or face coverings in public places and in businesses. There are few exceptions to the order that came as Texas continues to see swelling coronavirus numbers. While Abbott signed the order Thursday afternoon, it is set to go into effect at noon on Friday, July 3. Texas announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits amid COVID-19 pandemicGov. U.S. Army Specialist Aaron Robinson, 20, who officials say committed suicide earlier this week, is accused of killing Guillen.