The trial of the Austin police officer accused of murder in the 2020 fatal shooting of Michael Ramos ended in a mistrial on Wednesday morning. This is the second time the case has ended in mistrial. The first time came at the end of May, after a tumultuous four days of jury selection resulted in […]
Travis County District Attorney
Posted inPublic Safety
Domestic violence task force reports milestones
Gathered to kick off its awareness month, the Austin/Travis County Domestic Violence Task Force reported important progress since the difficult days of 2020. After a record number of requests for protective orders during the pandemic – and a record number of cases pending – the court now has the fewest cases pending in recent history, […]
Posted inCourts
In blistering motion, state seeks limited gag order in Taylor murder trial
In a blistering motion filed last week, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office requested a limited gag order in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor. Taylor is charged with murder in the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos. “The state respectfully requests that the court grant the state’s motion and find that pretrial publicity, […]
Posted inCourts
Taylor murder trial reset for October
The murder trial of Christopher Taylor, the Austin police officer who fatally shot Mike Ramos in 2020, has been reset for October. Travis County District Judge Dayna Blazey announced at a Wednesday hearing that the new date for the trial is Oct. 16. The court’s first attempt at a trial ended in mistrial after four […]
Posted inCourts
In surprise move, Blazey releases part of Christopher Taylor’s secret personnel file to the defense team
The district court judge overseeing the trial of the Austin police officer charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Mike Ramos has ruled that parts of the officer’s secret personnel file will be handed over to the defense. Last week, Travis County District Court Judge Dayna Blazey denied the city of Austin’s motion to […]
Posted inCourts
Judge will see secret personnel file of Austin police officer charged with murder in Mike Ramos shooting death
Days before the start of the murder trial of the Austin police officer who fatally shot Mike Ramos, a Travis County District Court judge has denied a city of Austin request to keep part of the officer’s personnel file private. At a Monday morning hearing, Travis County District Court Judge Dayna Blazey denied the city’s […]
Posted inCourts
Some Travis County residents can clear their arrest records at the 2023 Expunction Expo
Lee esta historia en español Travis County is set to host its fourth “expunction expo” May 20, an event where people who have been arrested but not convicted can remove the arrest from their record. Travis County District Attorney José Garza said removing such arrests can provide something of a clean start. “The arrest on a […]
Posted inPublic Safety
County may start participating in national ballistics database
The first of three gun violence prevention briefings was held Sept. 8 at Travis County Commissioners Court, drawing a diverse crowd from police officials to intervention groups and diversion program advocates. The bulk of discussion focused on a firearms shell casing database program called the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, which is aimed […]
Posted inPublic Health
Travis County DA’s vow not to prosecute abortion crimes likely won’t make a difference, expert says
Texas’ so-called trigger law went into effect Thursday. The law, which the Legislature passed in 2021, was designed to be ready should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade and make abortion no longer a constitutional right. While the law makes it a crime to perform most abortions in the state, effectively banning the procedure, Travis County […]
Posted inPublic Health
Abortion access resolution gathering steam
City Council Member Chito Vela, the lead sponsor of a resolution discouraging Austin police from investigating allegations concerning abortion, said Monday he expects City Council to consider the resolution at a special meeting held the week of July 18. In addition to Vela, sponsors of the resolution so far include Mayor Steve Adler and Council […]
Posted inPolice
Here’s what we know about APD officers facing charges for using beanbag rounds in 2020 protests
Nineteen Austin police officers face criminal charges for the use of so-called “less lethal” ammunition on demonstrators during racial justice protests in 2020. Police use of the lead-pellet bags, which were fired from shotguns, severely injured protesters, at least 19 of whom were hospitalized. The officers have been indicted on charges of aggravated assault by […]
Posted inPolice
DA says grand jury indicting ‘multiple’ Austin police officers for injuries during 2020 protests
A Travis County grand jury is expected to indict “multiple” Austin police officers accused of injuring people during the 2020 protests following the killing of George Floyd. In announcing the indictments, Travis County District Attorney José Garza said “multiple indictments will be forthcoming in the days ahead,” but did not specify how many. The Austin American-Statesman reports 19 […]