The Evidence Room, Episode 16 - โ193โณ
Was it a seduction? Was it a slaughter? In a new episode of our award-winning docuseries 'The Evidence Room,' KPRC 2 Investigates opens the case file on Susan Lucille Wright, a notorious killer who stabbed her husband to death in their northwest Harris County home in 2003.
Suspect already facing legal problems for abuse, harassing his ex-girlfriend now charged with tracking her with AirTag, officials say
A man who investigators say restrained his pregnant girlfriend against her will with handcuffs and then violated his bond conditions and two protective orders is now accused of tracking the same woman using an apple air tag.
Former Spring ISD 3rd grade teacher gets probation after accepting plea deal for child sex abuse
A mother says her worst fears have come true now that a former teacher from Spring Independent School District who she says constantly molested her two young daughters while in the 3rd grade will avoid jail time.
โI donโt feel safeโ: Frustrated residents say broken cameras, vehicle gate may be cause of more than 50 cars getting broken into at SW Houston apartment complex
As many as 50 vehicles were broken into Sunday night while parked inside a parking garage at the Ashford Apartments located off Dairy Ashford.
โWe canโt move on with our livesโ: Grandparents stand by A.J. Armstrong ahead of third trial in parentsโ murder
Pre-trial motions began Wednesday in the case against Antonio โA.J.โ Armstrong, the man accused of shooting and killing his parents at their southwest Houston home six years ago.
Harris County judge charged with official oppression after allegedly unlawfully arresting former TV journalist Wayne Dolcefino
Veteran former T.V. Journalist Wayne Dolcefino is calling on the state agency that investigates judicial misconduct to take disciplinary action against Harris County Judge Darrell Jordan.
โDefcon 1โฒ: Two more lawsuits to be filed against former Texans QB Deshaun Watson, bringing total to 26, sources say
Legal woes continue for former Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson as attorney Tony Buzbee is in the process of filing two more lawsuits against the embattled NFL star, bringing the total number to 26, KPRC 2 has learned.
โSteel-caged death matchโ: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she expects to be indicted in ongoing investigation
In a Wednesday morning tweet posted by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the 31-year-old made it clear that she expects to face criminal charges in an ongoing investigation involving the Texas Rangers and the Harris County District Attorneyโs Office.
Harris County contract investigation stretches out over 14 months, according to law enforcement
When the Texas Rangers executed search warrants at the offices and residences connected to members of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgoโs inner circle on March 11, the takeaway was clear according to KPRC 2โฒs Legal Analyst Brian Wice.
โNothing but political theaterโ: Court docs reveal investigation of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgoโs office, $11M COVID-19 vaccine outreach contract
Court records revealed new details about the investigation into Judge Lina Hidalgoโs office and a nearly $11 million dollar contract for COVID-19 vaccine outreach.
Texas Rangers execute search warrant at office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
The Texas Rangers executed a search warrant Friday at the office of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Sources told KPRC 2 that the warrant was related to a contract for COVID-19 vaccine outreach, but no official word has been released.
Oscar Rosales: What we know about the man wanted in shooting death of Pct. 5 Cpl. Charles Galloway
The man accused of fatally shooting Harris County Precinct Five Constable Corporal Charles Galloway worked as an auto body mechanic at multiple body shops throughout Houstonโs southwest side, sources confirmed.
Travis Scott to refund Astroworld Festival attendees, will not perform in Las Vegas, NBC News reports
Houston rapper Travis Scott announced he will provide full refunds for all attendees who bought tickets to Astroworld Festival after a โcrowd surgeโ left eight dead on Friday night, sources told NBC News on Monday.
Mug shot: Twin claims he was sleeping when he stabbed 17-year-old sister, prosecutors say
The bond for Benjamin Elliot is set at $100,000. He didnโt appear in court, heโs in the mental health unit. Prosecutors say he admitted to stabbing his sister in the neck, but claims he was dreaming/sleeping at the time. They say when he realized it wasnโt a dream and he had stabbed his sister, he called 911 and the operator told him to perform CPR. Then, he alerted his parents who can be heard screaming on the 911 call.
Houston Police Union calls for judgeโs resignation after man who was given low bond shoots two HPD officers
The president of the Houston Police Officerโs Union is calling for a Harris County judge to step down after allowing a habitual offender who has since been accused of shooting two Houston police officers to bond out of jail.
Houston Newsmakers: Mask mandates take center stage
Millard House II says HISD has not taken anyone to court over mask mandates and doesnโt plan to. He is a guest on this weekโs Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall and says his decision to require masks for HISD students and staff was not meant to make waves. โThis was not a decision that we wanted to see as a controversial decision or an opportunity to push back against government officials,โ he said. โThatโs not what this was about. This was about keeping children safe.โ
KPRC 2 legal analyst answers FAQ on Deshaun Watson case
The lawsuits filed accusing Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault have garnered national attention. I sat down with KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice to discuss what could be next. And unfortunately for Rusty Hardin and Deshaun Watson, Tony Buzbee has put a crooked number up on the board in the court of public opinion with the sheer number of lawsuits. But as it is right now, we are in for the long haul.โThese are civil lawsuits, not criminal. What a lot of our viewers may not know is that on the civil side, that doesnโt apply.โWhat does this mean for Deshaun Watson as a football player, not necessarily as a citizen accused?
EXCLUSIVE: Sources share copy of NDA that 1 of Deshaun Watsonโs accusers says player sent to her
A portion of the document provided to KPRC 2 by sources is highlighted in this graphic. HOUSTON โ Sources shared with KPRC 2 a non-disclosure agreement that Deshaun Watson sent to one of his accusers on Thursday night. While nothing on the form is filled out, it has the name Deshaun Watson typed in at the top. Maybe you donโt want that extra signed copy circling.โThe woman accuses Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct. If that proves true, Wice said a non-disclosure agreement would not hold up.
The name โJane Doeโ appears to be a hardship for Deshaun Watsonโs defense team
HOUSTON โ The name Jane Doe has become to be a hardship for the defense team for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson is accused of contacting these women, many of who are licensed massage therapists, on Instagram, according to the lawsuits. โOver the course of the last ten days, Deshaun Watson must feel like a hitchhiker in a west Texas hailstorm. โโฆin the one case in which we have been able to identify a plaintiff, we have strong evidence showing the allegation is false,โ said Watsonโs defense attorney Rusty Hardin. โI think itโs a double-barreled shotgun that Deshaun Watson finds himself facing right now.
Criminal complaint filed by Galveston county judge to investigate power outages during winter storm
HOUSTON โ Galveston County Judge Mark Henry says he wants tough action. Heโs blaming those deaths on power outages that lasted longer than expected during the winter storm. A criminal complaint filed Monday with the Galveston County District Attorneyโs office could lead to an investigation and charges filed at the DAโs discretion. It wasnโt hard to find people who agree with Judge Henryโs decision to call for a criminal investigation. โWhy were residents cut off and left off, while office building s downtown remained powered on the entire time,โ Judge Henry said.
Houston Newsmakers: Conspiracy, lies lead to Capitol insurrection
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A protester holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)1 (2021 Getty Images)What drove thousands of Trump supporters to Washington, D.C. on January 6th? Thousands of them rioted and attacked the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress, upset with election results that showed former Vice President Joe Biden beating President Trump.
Susan Wright, woman who killed husband in 2003 by stabbing him 193 times, freed from prison
HOUSTON โ Susan Wright, who captured headlines around the globe in 2004 when the housewife and mom went on trial for murder, was released from prison Wednesday morning. Wright was convicted in 2004 of stabbing her husband, Jeff, 193 times and burying him behind the carport of their northwest Harris County home in January 2003. According to a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Wright was officially released from custody at 9:30 a.m. A supervisor at the Gatesville, Texas prison confirmed to KPRC 2 that Wright had left the facility. She arrived at a home in Harris County early Wednesday afternoon and had little to say to the media that was outside the home. RELATED: Susan Wright gets email saying her children died, but they didnโtA Harris County jury convicted Susan Wright of murder and sentenced her to 25 years in prison.
Former HPD captain arrested in bizarre conspiracy case unable to be arraigned due to COVID-19
HOUSTON โ Since Tuesday, there have been nationwide headlines involving former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre. Aguirre was due to be arraigned Thursday morning but his arraignment was postponed after his attorney informed the court that Aguirre has COVID-19. The Liberty Center is run by conservative activist Steve Hotze, known for spreading conspiracy theories. Dr. Michael Adams, the chair of the political department at Texas Southern University, says social media is a huge factor in conspiracy theories because of digital accessibility and engagement. Adams calls conspiracy theories โgaslighting.โ A form of manipulation meant to question your own reality.
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.
Postal service ordered again to search for mail-in ballots
HOUSTON โ As the counting continues in several states a judge has issued another order to the United States Postal Service to locate any other mail-in ballots that have yet to be delivered. The order is focusing on states that have extended vote delivery deadlines including North Carolina and Pennsylvania. โThat means he can find the postal service in contempt. It means he can call them out.โThe postal service says in order to expedite the process ballots were scanned when they arrived but not when they were sent out of facilities making it appear as if they hadnโt been delivered. โBut beyond that, I think the integrity and the reputation of the United States Postal Service is at stake.โWice says he canโt guarantee the judgeโs orders will make a difference but he believes they can make a difference, which is why the orders were issued.
Legal analyst gives thoughts on The Luhnow Interview
The day after The Luhnow Interview, we spoke with KPRC Legal Analyst Brian Wice about possible legal implications. โBased on my review of the transcript of the interview, I believe Jeff has nothing to fear,โ said Wice. As a veteran criminal defense attorney and KPRC legal analyst, what did you think about MLBโs investigation as it related to Luhnow? Why didnโt the commissioner grant Luhnowโs request to take a lie detector test? Second, Manfred knew that Jeff would not have volunteered to take a lie detector test unless he was confident he would pass.
Paxton fought $300 hourly rate for attorneys prosecuting him, but OKs it for โrookieโ lawyer in donorโs case
Special prosecutors Brian Wice, left, and Kent Schaffer enter the Collin County Courthouse during a pre-trial motion hearing for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, in McKinney. Paxton personally signed off on paying Cammack $300 an hour โ exactly the rate promised to the two attorneys appointed to take Paxton to trial, who have not been paid since 2016 as Paxtonโs political allies and defense attorneys call that figure exorbitant. Paxton has dismissed those allegations from his top staff as โfalseโ accusations from โrogue employees.โCiting their policy, federal authorities have declined to confirm whether they are investigating Paxton. The issue of prosecutor pay in the securities fraud case against Paxton was raised by a Paxton donor, Jeff Blackard, in December 2015, when he sued, calling the fees exorbitant. Defense attorneys for Paxton did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.
Judge directs not guilty verdict for final defendant in Arkema case related to Harvey fire
HOUSTON โ A judge issued a directed verdict Thursday against the final defendant in the criminal case brought against Arkema related to the fire at the companyโs Crosby plant during Hurricane Harvey. KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice said the directed verdict was issued because there was insufficient evidence to bring the case to a jury. Comardelle was the only remaining defendant in the case after the charges against Arkema CEO Richard Rowe and Michael Keough, the companyโs logistics officer, were dropped. Hardin said Arkema was the only company being investigated but never addressed the other companies on the Houston Ship Channel. Hardin said it was unprecedented for prosecutors to make it a crime and targeted Arkema for not anticipating Hurricane Harveyโs impact.
Attorney: Texans deny credentials to photographer who sued Deshaun Watson
HOUSTON โ Nine days after Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension, a lawsuit filed in federal court accused him of copyright infringement. The next day, Tuesday, the Texans denied credentials to the photographer who filed the lawsuit, his attorneys said. Houstonian and freelance sports photographer Aaron Sprecher took the photos in question. Watson posted them on his Instagram account without permission and without credit, and did not take down the photos when asked, the lawsuit alleged. Sprecher just learned that he has been denied credentials to future Texans games,โ the statement continued.
Court denies Paxtonโs appeal in Harris County mail-in ballot application case for now
HOUSTON โ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtonโs appeal to last weekโs court ruling that allows Harris County to send mail-in ballot applications to all registered voters was denied Tuesday. According to the decision issued by the 14th Court of Appeals, Paxtonโs request for an injunction was denied because Paxton and Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins had reached a previous agreement in the Texas Supreme Court. In Texas, voters can cast their ballot by mail if:They will be away from the county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period. โAs surely as night follows day, this case will ultimately be decided in the Texas Supreme Court,โ KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice said. Wice went on to add that based on its batting average in these matters, โThe Attorney Generalโs office will be the prohibitive favorite.โThere are approximately 2.4 million registered voters in Harris County.
Legalities of enforcing the mask mandate in Houston
HOUSTON A month after being told to cover up, Houstons mayor now says people who dont follow the governors mask order could be fined. When youre in public, youre around other persons, please put on your mask or you run the risk of receiving a citation, Mayor Sylvester Turner said on Monday. I think thats a good idea. Ultimately, nobody goes to jail because they cant pay, said KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice. But Wice pointed out that cant pay and wont pay are two different things.
Video shows tense moments between judge and Wayne Dolcefino before contempt of court charge
HOUSTON โ A courtroom confrontation that lasted only two minutes landed a well-known former investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino behind bars. Dolcefino recorded the video with a pen camera while pressing Harris County Criminal Court Judge Darrell Jordan for answers regarding legal documents Dolcefino requested from the Harris County District Attorneyโs Office. โJudge Jordan was tasked with appointing special prosecutors to do their job. โAt the time, Wayne walked in the court and had his exchange with Judge Jordan. KPRC 2 reached out to Judge Jordan for comment on the story.
Harris County continues to grapple with a huge backlog of criminal cases
HOUSTON As Harris County puts the final pieces in place to resume jury assembly and selection, the backlog of felony and misdemeanor cases continues to grow. When you cant have trials, everything else behind that backs up, said Harris County prosecutor JoAnne Musick. The Supreme Court of Texas halted all jury trials and jury selection because of the pandemic, and the court recently extended that order until September 1. The halt in trials is a large part of the reason the Harris County Jails population remains above 8,000 inmates. The Harris County Sheriffs Office even had to create a so-called Zoom Team to help keep cases moving through the courts.
New charges illustrate culture within HPD Narcotics unit, legal analyst says
HOUSTON More than a year after the raid on Harding Street, six former Houston police officers are now facing charges. Five of them are accused of falsifying government documents used in narcotics investigations. Its not as serious as the three levels of felonies above it, said KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice, a criminal defense attorney. Wice said the charges appear to indicate a problem with the culture inside the departments narcotics division. The charges could have a wider impact, possibly leading some of the cases involving the former officers to be dismissed, Wice said.
Former investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino charged with contempt of court
HOUSTON โ On Tuesday, well-known investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino was charged with contempt of court and sentenced to three days in jail and six months probation. According to court documents, Dolcefino went up to Judge Darrell Jordan as he sat on the bench and demanded to interview him. Wice argued Dolcefino was not technically in contempt of court. However, Judge Jordan begged to differ. He says Dolcefino will not get special treatment for being a well-known journalist.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg under fire for job-threatening email
That is exactly what Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg and her team are claiming Wednesday, following an email Ogg sent to prosecutors Tuesday. โIf at the end of the day Kim Ogg sent this email then there is more to this than certainly meets the eye,โ said KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice. โGenerally, Kim Ogg is not as polarizing and political as this email suggests,โ said Mark Jones a Political Science Professor at Rice University. Nonetheless, nearly 24 hours after sending the email, an attorney in Oggโs office sent a follow-up email stating that Ogg sent the email out too early. However, Oggโs email address was used to send the email to the office.
Mayor Turner says Houston wonโt enforce $1,000 fine for residents not wearing a mask
Turner made his position clear regarding Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo's nose and mouth cover order. In an interview with KPRC 2 Investigates, Gamaldi called the order unconstitutional. So that means you have discretion, discretion, discretion," he said. "If Harris County did it, Fort Bend is going to do it, and it's the best thing to do," said Fort Bend resident Shandle Pearson. On Thursday afternoon, Fort Bend said it would not be issuing a mask covering order.
Grand jury makes โunprecedentedโ visit to the site of deadly Harding Street raid
HOUSTON โ KPRC 2 has learned a grand jury has visited the Harding Street site, where a deadly shootout with Houston Police Department happened in January 2019. KPRC 2 saw Harris County Constable Precinct 1 deputies and representatives from the Harris County District Attorneyโs Office at the home. Transported via shuttle, the grand jury was taken inside the home for approximately a 20-minute tour. A botched January raid at a home on Harding Street led to a monthsโ long investigation and three people charged in connection with the deaths of Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle. "That the grand jury is given an opportunity to see Rhogena and Dennisโ home is welcome news, but we also know that an independent forensic evaluation of the Harding Street incident is vitally necessary.โ
Whatโs next for woman accused in the kidnapping of Austin mom, baby? Legal analyst weighs in
HOUSTON โ When it comes to solving a murder, KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Wice says more often than not law enforcement is attempting to beat a small window. TIMELINE: Here are the key events in the Austin mom strangulation caseโWe donโt know anything other than the cause of death. We donโt know where it happened, we donโt know how it necessarily happened, other than the fact that this poor woman died from manual strangulation," Wice said. Once murder charges are ultimately filed in the case, Wice says the county where the murder took place should be the venue for a murder trial. However, important to note that no murder charges have been filed nearly six days after the discovery of Broussardโs body.
Sept. 29: Government shut down a good thing?
A government shutdown would be a good thing. That's according to former Rep. Tom DeLay who gives his first TV interview on "Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall" since his convictions for money laundering and conspiracy were overturned. "They'll win it if they shut it down," DeLay said as he talked about the success of the government shutdown that occurred when he was in Congress. Wice talks about the legal reasons the decision was made. Great conversation and information on this week's "Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall."