The Evidence Room, Episode 31 - The Wig Shop Murder
๐ข Uncovering the truth behind a chilling crime! ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐Join us as we dive into the shocking story of the "Wig Shop Murder." A manhunt, a motive that stunned the city, and a family's pursuit of justice. Discover the gripping details of this harrowing case that captivated the nation. Remembering the victim and standing strong against violence. #TrueCrime #JusticePrevails
Black and Missing: What happened to Deundrea Ford? Whatโs stopping her case from getting attention?
Every day we hear from families whose loved ones are missing. We spend part of our mornings at KPRC talking about what is being done to find the person and the latest in the search and recovery efforts.
โYou will always have a voiceโ: Houston Crime Stoppers video program ensures victims always part of parole process
For crime victims and their family members, the potential parole of an attacker is both terrifying and emotionally draining. Many family members also worry whether their concerns will be heard by the parole board prior to any decision. Houston Crime Stoppers is now addressing these concerns through a unique program that records victim impact statements to be used during the parole process.
โStart sending a messageโ: Organized retail theft low in Houston, but officials say regular theft a problem
Retail theft across the country has gone up in recent years. The thefts, usually consisting of a large group of looters has even forced some big name retailers like Target to shut down some of its stores in places like California.
Repeat offender believed to be suspect behind several auto thefts at Hobby, Bush airports
Houston police are searching for a group of people they believe are behind several auto thefts at both Hobby and Bush airports. Police believe a 23-year-old, identified as Joe Aguirre, committed some of the crimes.
Texas executes former Missouri City public safety officer for 1994 murder of estranged wife
Robert โBobโ Fratta was executed in Huntsville Tuesday for the 1994 murder of his estranged wife, Farah Fratta. He gave no final statement and never acknowledged his oldest son, Bradley Baquer, or Farah Frattaโs brother, Zain Baquer, who witnessed the execution.
Walker Porretto: What we know about 19-year-old accused of killing his girlfriend while out on bond
The man accused of killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring her older sister was also charged earlier this summer with felony drug possession and unlawful carrying of a firearm, according to court records.
โBrotherโs keeperโ: Family asks for publicโs help in identifying suspects who allegedly killed man during robbery at retail store
The Harris County Sheriffโs Office and Crime Stoppers of Houston held a press conference Tuesday to ask for the publicโs help in identifying a suspect involved in a deadly robbery on March 19 in the Greenspoint area.
โItโs a huge embarrassmentโ: Close to 200 Harris County defendants released after computer system issue, HCSO says
The Harris County Sheriffโs Office said a computer system went down last Thursday, an issue which continued into the weekend, leading to a backup and some defendants being released from the joint processing center.
3D printer, several weapons discovered inside home where suspect accused of shooting 3 HPD officers surrendered
Caballero is now facing three state counts of attempted capital murder of HPD officers, and he is also federally charged with possession of a machine gun and felon in possession of a firearm.
Who gets the $100K reward? This is what authorities say about tipsters in NOLA Det. Everett Briscoe shooting case
The $100,000 reward for tips that led to arrests in the death of New Orleans Det. Everett Briscoe could possibly be paid out to one or two people, a Houston Crime Stoppers official told KPRC 2.
Houston murder suspect out on 8 felony bonds at the time; victim leaves behind two young sons
Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in the fatal shooting of a man during a May home invasion, and KPRC 2 has learned that one of the suspects -- Qiriathiam Phillips -- was out on eight felony bonds at the time of the victimโs murder.
โPublic safety affects everyoneโ: Crime Stoppers leaders address felony bond reform
HOUSTON โ Crime Stoppers leaders held a news conference Wednesday where they addressed felony bond reform. During the news conference, Crime Stoppers leaders responded to the Harris County Justice Administration report, โFelony Bail Practice: The Landscape in Harris County,โ and to the testimony they provided at a legislative hearing. According to Crime Stoppers, in 2020, 10,500 people who were out on bond committed 18,796 crimes, which is a significant increase from 2015, where 3,200 people who were out on bond committed 6,438 crimes. Kahan said Crime Stoppers is more concerned with the victims rather than distinguishing whether a defendant was released multiple times on PR (personal recognizance) bonds. โ...Crime Stoppers and law enforcement doesnโt care what types of bonds are released multiple times.
REPORT: Bond reform working while critics say it misses the point
HOUSTON โ Harris County is under federal court order to reform its misdemeanor bail bond system to prevent defendants charged with mostly nonviolent crimes from languishing in jail. Now, a year after full implementation, a study supervised by Duke University Professor Brandon Merritt said itโs working with many fewer misdemeanor defendants languishing in jail. It also noted increases in violent crime canโt be traced to bail reform. โNo one has ever had any problems or issues with misdemeanor bond reform,โ said victim advocate Andy Kahan with Houston Crime Stoppers. โThe revolving door at the courthouse surrounding felony defendants who have been repeatedly released on multiple felony bonds has played a significant role in the increase, particularly the murder rates.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Crime Stoppers of Houston discuss โCaitlynneโsโ bill in honor of woman killed by husband
HOUSTON โ Senator Paul Bettencourt and Crime Stoppers of Houston held a press conference on โCaitlynneโsโ bill filing on Personal Recognizance Bonds (PR bonds) Monday. The bill would prevent defendants from release on multiple PR bonds. The press conference started at 10 a.m. at the Crime Stoppers of Houston Building and included several community leaders/officials. โToo many of our citizens have become victims of violent crime by habitual offenders who are continually released back to the community often on multiple PR bonds,โ said Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious. According to Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers, since 2018, 90 victims have been killed in Harris County by defendants released on various PR and low-dollar felony bonds.
Suspect accused of shooting Harris County deputy was free on multiple bonds
HOUSTON โ The man accused of shooting a Harris County deputy in the back Tuesday night was free from jail on multiple bonds at the time of the shooting, according to court records. Harris County Deputy Association President David Cuervas said that problem of violent career criminals who re-offend after being granted multiple felony bonds has become epidemic in Harris County. โThese rogue judges have made Harris County a sanctuary county for felons and criminals,โ Cuervas said. โThey absolutely donโt give a damn about anyone or any citizen in Harris County.โItโs a problem so acute, the legislature is considering action. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt is crafting a bill to stop judges from stacking multiple felony bonds for violent offenders who are continually arrested and released.
Devil worshipper charged in 2016 slaying accused of another killing months after posting $25K bond
HOUSTON โ A Houston story made international headlines four years ago -- an 18-year-old is accused of killing his 16-year-old friend during a satanic ritual. Edward OโNeal, the suspect in the case, admitted to KPRC 2 during a jailhouse interview in 2016 that he worshipped the devil. Fast forward to the present, OโNeal is back in jail after being accused of killing again nearly ten days ago. His return to jail comes months after being released on a $25,000 bond in the 2016 homicide case. โThe $64,000 question, no pun intended, is why he is out on a $25,000 bond?โ Wice asked.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Why some probations are ended when the terms havenโt been met
HOUSTON โ KPRC 2 Investigates reviewed thousands of felony cases where a probationer was โunsatisfactorilyโ terminated from their probation. Court records show Talamantes had two prior DWI cases on his record and the most recent one ended with unsatisfactory termination of probation. Court records show the second DWI was in 2014. Court records show he was brought back to jail twice, had his โSOBER court conditions amendedโ and given an extra day in jail as punishment. Court records show a second judge tried to get Crawford to comply with all conditions, before voluntarily recusing himself from the case.
KPRC 2 Investigates โunsatisfactoryโ termination of probation
KPRC reviewed thousands of felony cases where a probationer was โunsatisfactorilyโ terminated from their probation. The term is a point of debate between victimโs rights advocates and Harris County judges seeking to strike a balance between justice and punishment. According to data obtained from the Harris County District Clerkโs Office, there have been 7,133 cases of โunsatisfactoryโ termination of probation cases filed over the last 10 years in felony courts. Court records show Talamantes had two prior DWI cases on his record and the most recent one ended with โunsatisfactoryโ termination of probation. KPRC is still speaking with victims involved in โunsatโ cases to hear their impact and compiling which courts have seen the greatest number of these cases.
โI want to hurt them both:โ Mother of man linked to death of Maliyah Bass says they deserves to be in jail
HOUSTON โ The mother of Travion Thompson, the man charged in connection of 2-year-old Maliyah Bassโ death, said both her son and his girlfriend, Sahara Ervin, belong behind bars for their involvement. The couple is accused of killing and then dumping the childโs body in a storm drain in Houston. โIโm mad because I want to hurt both of them because I feel violated,โ said Thompsonโs mother Angel Harris. I feel betrayed.โWhile Harris is the not biologically related to Maliyah she said she loved the little girl as though she was her granddaughter. โA part of me wanted to believe that somebody had took my baby off that playground,โ Harris said.
Houston man released on several bonds now in federal custody
HOUSTON โ A Houston man has been indicted on federal charges following his release on eight bonds while facing numerous charges in Harris County. Court records show Opoku was released on several bonds while facing charges, including capital murder and possession of child pornography. A bond violation report dated Aug. 17 noted Opoku was placed under the supervision of Harris County Pretrial Services on June 26. Before a hearing could be held on whether to revoke Opokuโs bond, he was hit with federal charges and taken into custody. This is the third time KPRC 2 reported on a person released on multiple bonds in Harris County, who is then later hit with federal charges.
Houston police chief, victimsโ advocates angered by cases of accused murderers released on multiple bonds
While a federal lawsuit addressed inequities in misdemeanor cases, the way bond in felony cases is handled remains in dispute. Kahan said his research found 42 such defendants in murder cases since 2018. Many in law enforcement, including Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, have been particularly critical of a system allowing those accused of crimes to be released on multiple bonds. โWe have people that have been booked for murder, charged with murder, released while charged with murder and murdering again,โ said Acevedo. 9 similar defendantsHere is a closer look at the similar bond cases that Channel 2 Investigates found.
More needs to be done to protect domestic violence survivors, Crime Stoppers says
Community leaders are calling for more to be done to help domestic violence survivors, who are suffering from violent partners that may be out on bond. Harris County Sheriffs deputies said Curtis Allen Holliday killed his wife, Chi Thi Lien Le, who has been missing since April 3. Domestic violence amid a pandemicKahan said the pandemic is a concern for domestic violence survivors, who may not have a way to leave or seek resources for a potentially dangerous situation. Khan said more needs to be done to protect these victims from spouses who are out on felony bonds. Anyone seeking domestic violence resources can visit: www.crime-stoppers.org/domestic-violence/
HCSO: Mass testing helping slow spread of COVID-19 at Harris County jail
HOUSTON โ Despite the growing number of jail inmates testing positive for COVID-19, officials with the Harris County Sheriffโs Office believe mass testing is helping slow the spread of the virus behind bars. โWe are not seeing an increase in the number of those who are actually sick,โ said Jason Spencer, with HCSO. Spencer said 593 inmates have tested positive, 150 are asymptomatic and 14 have been hospitalized. Spencer said 220 members of the jail staff have tested positive, 80 have returned to work. In fact, Spencer said the number of employees returning to work now outpaces those testing positive for the virus.
Harris County moves forward with plan to release certain inmates from jail
HOUSTON โ Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued an order for the sheriff to begin releasing certain non-violent inmates from the county jail as soon as possible. The judgeโs order does also require inmates to be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and cleared by a medical professional before release. "Before anyone is released, prosecutors, defense attorneys, Harris County Pretrial Services, and the Harris County Justice Administration Department will review each individual case to verify the person qualifies. Even during the public health crisis of COVID-19, HCSO officers and staff bravely serve every day to keep Harris County safe. Pre-Trial Releases:6,303 are currently in the Harris County Jail awaiting trial.