MRT: Lt. Gov. Patrick Releases Interim Charges; DA Garza Sought Taxpayer-Funded Private Security; Mayor Watson to Seek Full Term; HPD Review of DNA Tests Continues
MRT: Lt. Gov. Patrick Releases Interim Charges; DA Garza Sought Taxpayer-Funded Private Security; Mayor Watson to Seek Full Term; HPD Review of DNA Tests Continues
Here's What You Need to Know in Texas Today.
MustReadTexas.com – @MustReadTexas
BY: @MattMackowiak
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FRIDAY – 04/12/24
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TOP NEWS
“Austin Democratic DA Jose Garza is using taxpayer-funded private security after being repeatedly turned down when he asked for cop protection -- despite being the one setting criminals free,” Daily Mail's MaryAnn Martinez -- “Austin's Democrat DA has hired security through his taxpayer-funded office after being turned down twice when he asked for police protection, despite being the one setting criminals free and vowing to go after cops.
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has a long record of being 'pro-criminal,' according to victims' families and campaigning to zealously prosecute officers for use of excessive force, who claim he mishandled their cases by setting violent offenders loose with no charges or slap-on-the-wrist probation.
Despite letting off convicted criminals with zero jail time and making an enemy of local cops, DailyMail.com can reveal his requests for private protection.
Last fall, Garza, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, went to Travis County Commissioners claiming he needed armed protection.
He was turned down, then appealed to the local sheriff - who also rejected his request.
Since then, he has found the money from his own taxpayer-funded budget for security.
'It's the height of hypocrisy. The irony of all of this is that these are the people who want to defund the police.
'People like us, apparently, we don't need police, but they need one on one bodyguards. It's just unbelievable,' a source with knowledge of the requests told DailyMail.com.
'What he said is that he was getting death threats,' the source recalled.
'He had a security firm come out to his house to assess how safe his house was and that it wasn't that safe, and so he really needed 24/7 bodyguards because of these death threats.'
The request for police-provided protection was turned down. Garza has subsequently appeared at private events including a police officer's funeral with a security guard that tax-payers are subsidizing. …
DailyMail.com reached out Garza's office, the sheriff and the county for comment, however, all three declined.
Since he was elected, Garza has brought charges against at least 21 Austin police officers on charges of excessive use of force against local protestors in 2020. He later dropped charges against 17 of those same cops.
Additionally, his soft-on-crime policies with those accused of crime have earned him a reputations with arrestees, including one caught on camera telling the cops that no one was being charged by Garza. …
The DA was photographed with armed back up in November when he tried to attend the funeral of slain Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore and was kicked out.
'@JosePGarza u are such a loser, why on earth would u think you would be welcomed anywhere near this. Garza attempted to go to funeral and was kindly told that he was not welcomed anywhere in the building,' tweeted Austin public safety advocate Cleo Petricek.
The photo of Garza leaving the funeral with his security trailing him was taken after he was booted.
'The most anti-Police DA in Austin history was asked to leave a police funeral,' posted Matt Mackowiak, who runs a pro-cop group in the Texas city. 'Actions have consequences.'" Daily Mail
AP: “Kansas City Chiefs' Rashee Rice surrenders to police on assault charge after high-speed chase” AP
AP: “Houston police reviewing if DNA tests could have helped in thousands of dropped cases” AP
HOU CHRON: “Houston Mayor Whitmire to reopen Montrose library in major reversal” Houston Chronicle
TX TRIB: “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick lists housing affordability, fighting antisemitism on campus among 2025 priorities” Texas Tribune
AAS: “Austin Mayor Kirk Watson to run for reelection; 4th candidate so far on November ballot” AAS
SAEN: “GOP closes South Texas Hispanic community outreach centers” SAEN
CNN: “Cornyn ratchets up fundraising push amid battle with Thune for Senate GOP leader” CNN
TX TRIB: “With an eye on Amarillo courthouse, U.S. senators push to stop federal judge shopping” Texas Tribune
AAS: “President Joe Biden considers executive action to close US border with Mexico” AAS
AP: “Environmentalists protest as Biden administration approves huge oil export terminal off Texas coast” AP
EXTRA POINTS
Last night's Texas sports scores:
> NBA: Jazz 124, Rockets 121 Hou Chron
> MLB: Royals 13, Astros 3 Hou Chron
> NHL: Athletics 1, Rangers 0 DMN
> NHL: Jets 3, Stars 0 AP
Tonight's Texas sports schedule:
> 7pm: NBA: Nuggets at Spurs
> 7:10pm: MLB: Rangers at Astros
> 7:30pm: NBA: Pistons at Mavericks
> 9pm: NBA: Rockets at Blazers
BAYLOR MEN'S BASKETBALL: “Drew opting to pass on Kentucky, stay at Baylor" Waco Trib
HOUSTON MEN'S BASKETBALL: “UH Cougars: Guard Jamal Shead to enter NBA draft" Houston Chronicle
TEXAS A&M BASEBALL: “Texas A&M baseball: Aggies hit it right in transfer portal" Houston Chronicle