Case blog

  • Houston Mother Sentenced to 50 Years for Death of 8-Year-Old Son in 2020

    Posted by · November 13, 2024 8:38 AM

  • Houston Mother Sentenced to 50 Years for Death of 8-Year-Old Son in 2020

    A Houston mother was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison for her role in the death of her 8-year-old son in 2020, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “We expect parents to protect their children, not hurt them, because children really are our most vulnerable victims,” Ogg said. “This case shocks the conscience not just because a child lost his life, but because of his parents’ complete and total disregard for human life.”

    Gloria Yvette Williams, 38, pleaded guilty earlier to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony, in the death of son Kendrick Lee at the family’s west Houston apartment.

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  • Documented Gang Member Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for 2020 Murder

    Posted by · November 13, 2024 7:49 AM

  • Documented Gang Member Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for 2020 Murder

    A documented member of the Black Disciples, a nationally recognized street gang, was sentenced Monday to 55 years in prison for murder, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This was a brazen ambush in broad daylight by a gang member who thought he could get away with murder,” Ogg said. “We’re thankful that a Harris County jury was able to see the truth and handed down justice for the victim’s family.”

    Brodrick Jaamel Sayles, 37, was convicted of murder by a Harris County jury for shooting an acquaintance, 28-year-old Demetrius Daniels, as the victim sat in his car in a parking lot in the 9700 block of Beechnut about 10 a.m. Nov. 5, 2020.

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  • Repeat Offender Sentenced to 75 Years in Prison for Shooting at Two Police Officers, Permanently Wounding One

    Posted by · October 31, 2024 4:12 AM

  • Repeat Offender Sentenced to 75 Years in Prison for Shooting at Two Police Officers, Permanently Wounding One

    A repeat offender from Seabrook was handed two 75-year prison sentences on Thursday for shooting at two Houston police officers, permanently disabling one, during a traffic stop in 2022, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This defendant opened fire on two police officers during a midday traffic stop,” Ogg said. “He has repeatedly shown that he cannot be trusted and that our community will be safer if he is behind bars — hopefully for the rest of his life.”

    Jimmy Caston Bryan, 25, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant for shooting at the two officers who pulled him over near 14300 Gulf Freeway about 11:20 a.m. on May 4, 2022.

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  • Houston Woman Sentenced to 43 Years in Prison for Killing Deputy While Driving Drunk

    Posted by · October 26, 2024 9:14 AM

  • Houston Woman Sentenced to 43 Years in Prison for Killing Deputy While Driving Drunk

    A Houston woman was sentenced to 43 years in prison late Thursday for killing a Harris County sheriff’s deputy while driving drunk in 2022, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This was not an accident. Driving drunk is not an accident, and killing someone while driving drunk is a predictable consequence; therefore, it could have been prevented,” Ogg said. “Ramon Gutierrez could be alive today and with his family if she had made a different choice.”

    Lavillia Chantael Spry, 42, was convicted by a jury in a seven-day trial of intoxication manslaughter of a peace office for driving drunk and killing sheriff’s Sgt. Ramon Gutierrez on Jan. 24, 2022.

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  • Houston Man Sentenced to 50 Years for 2008 Cold-Case Murder and Selling Drugs in Jail

    Posted by · October 24, 2024 4:13 AM

  • Houston Man Sentenced to 50 Years for 2008 Cold-Case Murder and Selling Drugs in Jail

    A Houston man pleaded guilty Wednesday to four felonies, including a 2008 murder and selling drugs in the Harris County Jail, and was sentenced to 50 years in prison for each crime, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “We’ve got a message for everyone who thinks they’ve gotten away with murder: We don’t forget,” Ogg said. “And for everyone involved with bringing contraband in the jail, we’re watching.”

    Longtime repeat offender Joshua Sinclair Owens, 35, pleaded guilty to murder for the strangulation death of 48-year-old Marsha Lynn Mitchell on June 10, 2008.

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  • Pasadena Man Sentenced to Two Life Sentences Plus 10 Years for Fatally Stabbing Pregnant Wife

    Posted by · October 22, 2024 4:44 PM

  • Pasadena Man Sentenced to Two Life Sentences Plus 10 Years for Fatally Stabbing Pregnant Wife

    A Pasadena man was given two life sentences Tuesday after pleading guilty to beating and fatally stabbing his pregnant wife just 17 hours after being released from jail for an earlier assault on her, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.         

    “He is clearly a danger to everyone around him and this case, maybe more than any other case in the criminal courthouse, highlights the dangers and the red flags of domestic violence,” Ogg said. “He tortured and killed an animal, there were prior beatings, then a severe beating before he was released on bond to murder the victim as brutally as possible.”

    Alex Daniel Guajardo, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder for stabbing Caitlynne Rose Infinger Guajardo and their unborn son at their Pasadena home on Aug. 3, 2019.

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  • Humble Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole for Killing Teenage Girl

    Posted by · October 19, 2024 9:17 AM

  • Humble Man Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole for Killing Teenage Girl

    A 62-year-old man from Humble was sentenced late Thursday to life in prison without parole for killing his girlfriend’s teenage daughter while attempting to rape her, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This defendant was a predator with a gun, and his choice to hurt a young girl and take her life was senseless and horrific,” Ogg said. “He not only took a promising young woman’s life, his actions have destroyed a family.”

    Van Henry Brisbon was convicted of capital murder by a Harris County jury for killing 16-year-old Lauren Juma at their home in Humble just after 1 a.m. on April 29, 2022.

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  • Houston Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2009 Cold-Case Murder

    Posted by · October 11, 2024 5:35 AM

  • Houston Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2009 Cold-Case Murder

    A Houston man was sentenced Thursday to life in prison after being convicted of murder for fatally stabbing a mother of five in 2009, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This was a horrific crime when it happened, and no one in law enforcement ever stopped looking for the killer,” Ogg said. “Even after the case went cold, investigators kept working on it and when charges were filed, prosecutors were able to get justice for the victim and her family.”

    Jorge Trevino Cardenas, 52, was already in prison after being convicted of sexual assault of a child. He was arrested for that crime in 2014, and a sample of his DNA was collected put on file.

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  • Former HPD Officer Gerald Goines Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Murder

    Posted by · October 08, 2024 4:12 PM

  • Former HPD Officer Gerald Goines Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for Murder

    A former Houston Police Department narcotics officer was sentenced Tuesday to 60 years in prison for killing two people in a no-knock drug raid in 2019, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This is historic because we believe this is the first-ever murder conviction of a Houston-area law enforcement officer committed while in uniform,” Ogg said. “We hope other victims who have been hurt or wrongfully accused or even convicted see the courage of these families and also come forward.”

    Gerald Goines, 60, was convicted of felony murder after a two-week trial in September for his role in the murder of Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas, who were fatally shot in their southeast Houston home on Harding Street on Jan. 28, 2019.

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  • Katy Man Sentenced to Life for Shooting 3, Killing Wife

    Posted by · October 07, 2024 1:29 PM

  • Katy Man Sentenced to Life for Shooting 3, Killing Wife

    A Katy man was sentenced to life in prison for shooting three family members, including killing his wife, in a chaotic domestic violence incident at the family’s home in 2021, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

    “This man went on a shooting rampage in his own home, shooting three people that he claimed he loved,” Ogg said. “An abuser can hurt, maim and kill anyone caught in their path. Cases like this are why we have a Domestic Violence Division, and innocent victims like this are why we work so hard to get justice.”

    Lawrence Reed, 56, was convicted by a jury of murder and sentenced to life late Thursday for fatally shooting 36-year-old Valarie Junius at their house on July 29, 2021.

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