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Thread: Facundo Chavez - Texas Death Row

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    Facundo Chavez - Texas Death Row









    El Paso County sheriff's deputy, who was shot when driver fired 15 times, has died

    By Daniel Borunda
    El Paso Times

    A driver's car stalled to a stop after he allegedly fired about 15 shots that critically wounded an El Paso County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop, Sheriff Richard Wiles said.

    Deputy Peter Herrera died Sunday evening at a hospital after being shot during a traffic stop early Friday in San Elizario, Texas, sheriff's officials said.

    "It was a very violent and unprovoked attack against the deputy. The deputy never even had the chance to draw his weapon," Wiles said.

    Herrera was shot several times when a driver got out of a vehicle and opened fire on Chicken Ranch Road near Socorro Road, sheriff's officials said.

    The suspected shooter, Facundo Chavez, was arrested a few blocks away because his car stalled, officials said.

    'Unprovoked attack'

    The incident began at about 1:50 a.m. when Herrera pulled over a car because it had only one headlight and an expired registration, Wiles said.

    The dangerous encounter was recorded on Herrera's body-worn camera and the dashboard camera of his patrol vehicle, Wiles said.

    When the deputy approached the vehicle, Chavez was driving and a woman was in the passenger seat, Wiles said.

    "He asked the male driver to step out and immediately upon stepping out, the male pulled a weapon and opened fire," Wiles said.

    "We believe there was at least 15 rounds discharged toward the deputy," Wiles said. "Not all of them hit the deputy, some hit his vest. Those that did hit him, did cause significant damage."

    One of the gunshots hit Herrera in the head but doctors found it did not enter his brain, said Wiles adding that Herrera was responsive before and after surgery.

    "The subject got back in his car and tried to drive away but the car stalled out," Wiles said.

    The driver and the woman took off on foot heading north on Socorro Road, threw the weapon in desert and were found hiding in shed a few blocks away, Wiles said.

    Investigators also found the gun allegedly used in the shooting.

    Backup on its way

    After being shot, Herrera was unable to call for help but backup was already on its way because Herrera had radioed for assistance when he first pulled over the car, Wiles said.

    A civilian was the first to run up to help the bleeding deputy and called 911, Wiles said. A U.S Border Patrol agent and a sheriff's sergeant arrived quickly at the scene.

    Border Patrol agents and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers often help deputies during traffic stops, Wiles said.

    "We also want to thank that individual that stopped to help," Wiles said. "A Border Patrol agent and a sheriff's sergeant were pivotal in helping to save that officer's life."

    The sergeant placed a tourniquet on Herrera's leg, which helped stem the bleeding, Wiles added.

    An investigating is trying to determine why the driver opened fire, the sheriff said.

    "We don’t have any motive right now," Wiles said.

    Chavez "has a lengthy criminal record — including that he was under investigation for a family violence (case) that occurred two days before against the female who was in that car," Wiles said.

    Wiles said that the woman was initially arrested but was released after the Sheriff's Office consulted with prosecutors.

    Chavez, 27, was arrested on charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

    Chavez also had warrants on charges of delivery of marijuana, criminal mischief and assault of a family member, according to jail records.

    In 2011, a man named Facundo Chavez was jailed in El Paso after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a charge of re-entry after deportation, according to El Paso County Jail records. It was unclear if it was the same person.

    The alleged shooter told sheriff's staff that he was born in Albuquerque, said Wiles, adding that U.S. immigration authorities would handle any questions about his citizenship.

    Chavez, who is listed on a jail log as residing in El Paso, is being held at the Downtown jail on a bond of more than $1.5 million.

    Community supports deputy

    Herrera died Sunday evening after being hospitalized in critical condition and having several surgeries, sheriff's officials said Sunday.

    The El Paso County Sheriff's Officers Association had reported that Herrera was responsive and aware of his surroundings at the hospital. His family asked for privacy .

    Blood drives in support of Herrera that began Friday continued from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Cielo Vista Mall and Bassett Place, Acosta said. The blood drives will also help others in need.

    An online fundraising drive in support of Herrera had surpassed it's $40,000 goal. More than $42,000 had been raised by late Sunday morning.

    "This is really a tragedy," Wiles said. "It just goes to show you the dangers that law enforcement officers face every day. We tell our officers to never treat a call as routine.

    "This is a good example of how a situation can turn deadly in a split second," the sheriff said.

    https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/ne...on/3261686002/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Shooting suspect's girlfriend arrested in slaying of El Paso County Deputy Peter Herrera

    By Maria Gonzalez
    El Paso Times

    The girlfriend of the man charged in the shooting death of El Paso County sheriff's Deputy Peter Herrera also has been arrested and charged in his slaying, officials announced Saturday.

    Arlene Piña, 20, was charged with capital murder of a peace officer and was booked Saturday into the El Paso County Jail on a $1 million bond.

    Piña was the passenger in the convertible BMW 3325i that was stopped by Herrera at about 1:50 a.m. March 22, officials said. He was shot during that traffic stop, officials say.

    Herrera was taken to a hospital, where he died two days later. The shooting suspect, Facundo Chavez, was arrested shortly afterward.

    "At the time (of the shooting), we released the passenger, because we were not sure of her involvement in the case," Sheriff Richard Wiles said at a news conference Saturday at the El Paso County Jail. "However, after some really great detective work by our supervisors and detectives out of our Crimes Against Persons section, we were able to establish and believe that that female was actively involved — even though she didn't pull the trigger — in the death of Deputy Herrera."

    Wiles said a warrant was issued Friday and Piña was arrested at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at a home in San Elizario and was booked into the El Paso County Jail.

    Wiles said the investigation and arrest took a while because authorities had to clean up audio that was recorded by the police camera and the deputy's body camera and also get into her cellphone records.

    "The key parts rest again in the video and audio of the body cam and the camera in the patrol vehicle. Even though at some point the individual leaves the video portion, you can still hear the audio portion," Wiles said.

    A complaint affidavit supplemental report states that Herrera told Chavez to exit the car. Immediately after getting out, Chavez shot at Herrera five times at point-blank range, the supplemental report alleges.

    After getting out, it says that Chavez can be heard beating Herrera. Piña then gets out and says in Spanish, "Beat that (expletive)," it states.

    The supplemental report states that after several minutes, the two run back to the car and attempt to flee, but the vehicle stalls. Video shows Chavez get out and run, then Piña follows him, it states.

    At 2:49 a.m., with the help of Border Patrol agents, the two were found hiding in a shed in San Elizario, the report states. They were taken to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit at 3850 Justice Drive in far East El Paso to be interviewed.

    The supplemental report states that after being read her Miranda rights, Piña claimed a third person was involved and blamed the shooting on that person. She also claimed that person assaulted her as she was dragged to the shed, then slapped her cellphone out of her hand as she tried to call 911, then took the phone.

    After being told the video didn't support her story, Piña admitted she was lying and blamed the shooting on her boyfriend, Chavez, the report says. She said she saw him take a clip from the shift area of the car and insert it into a gun, which he then put in his waistband. She said he said he was going to shoot the deputy, the report states.

    The affidavit supplemental report says that as Chavez was being booked into the El Paso County Jail in Downtown, he said he wanted to speak with Major Crimes Unit investigators.

    After being taken there, he was read his Miranda rights. According to the affidavit, he told investigators that he shot Herrera because he was a felon in possession of a handgun and had an extended clip with 30 rounds. He also said that as Herrera approached, Piña grabbed his leg and said that he was the "cop" who had been harassing her.

    According to the supplemental report, Herrera previously had met Piña on March 12, when he was dispatched at 2:07 a.m. to help a woman retrieve a car from Piña. The affidavit says that during that interaction, Piña gave Herrera information that her boyfriend, Chavez, was dealing drugs.

    The report states that in a jail telephone call recorded April 12, Chavez said Piña was part of the crime, saying he had told her to leave but she decided to stay. He said during the assault, she tried to take Herrera's gun, the report alleges. It states dried blood on Piña's hands support Chavez's account.

    The report states a forensic examination of Pina's cellphone and her cellphone call records showed she did not call 911 as she claimed in her interview, but she did make eight phone calls and sent two texts. The records indicate she was trying to get a family member to help her and Chavez escape, including sending a "pin drop" to show where the two were hiding before they were found by Border Patrol agents.

    Wiles said: "It was clear she was involved from the start. And she needs to be held accountable for that."

    He added that Piña was on a five-year probation for delivery of a controlled substance at the time of her arrest. Jail records show several marijuana-related arrests.

    Herrera's family, including his father, Luis Herrera, and his brother, Louie Herrera, were at the news conference but weren't ready to speak about the arrest. His widow and daughter also were present.

    Wiles said he believes Piña and Chavez should both be held responsible and receive the maximum penalty.

    "Quite frankly, I believe that both individuals should be subject to the death penalty because I believe strongly this is a death penalty case," he said.

    https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/ne...ra/1177925001/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Grand jury indicts man, woman on capital murder charges in death of Deputy Peter Herrera

    By Kayla Melsom
    KTSM News Channel 9

    A grand jury indicted an El Paso man and woman on capital murder charges in the murder of Deputy Peter Herrera.

    As KTSM previously reported, Facundo Chavez, 27, and Arlene Pina, 20, are behind bars in the shooting death of Herrera, which happened during a traffic stop in San Elizario on March 22.

    Pina and Chavez are charged with capital murder of a peace officer. Sheriff Richard Wiles says he plans to seek the death penalty for both.

    According to an arrest affidavit, Herrera pulled the duo over at about 1:50 a.m. on Chicken Ranch Road in San Elizario.

    The car, driven by Chavez and occupied by Pina, had a Texas 30-day permit, the affidavit stated.

    At first, Pina exited the vehicle as Herrera approached. Herrera reportedly ordered her back in the car and spoke with Chavez at his driver side window.

    Herrera told Chavez that he was being pulled over for failure to dim high beam headlights and improperly displaying the temporary permit before asking for his license and registration, the affidavit said.

    When Herrera told Chavez to exit the car, Chavez allegedly pulled a gun from his waist area and began to fire at close range.

    The Sheriff's Office said that one of several bullets struck Herrera in the back of the head. Several other shots hit his body armor, officials said.

    According to court documents, Chavez allegedly began hitting Herrera after the shots were fired.

    That's when Pina allegedly got out of the car, approached the men, and said, "Beat that f-----" in Spanish, according to documents.

    According to an arrest affidavit, Chavez told investigators that Pina attempted to take Herrera's handgun.

    Investigators say the blood on her hands showed she had contact with the deputy during the assault.

    Chavez' car later stalled at the intersection of Chicken Ranch and Socorro Roads and the two suspects ran away. Border Patrol agents found them hiding in a nearby shed at about 3 a.m.

    Pina initially told investigators there was a third person in the car, which was proven wrong by dashcam footage.

    She admitted to lying and allegedly told investigators she didn't want to get in trouble because she had a restraining order against Chavez and knew Chavez had a gun clipped to him.

    She also told investigators she "wanted to get out of the vehicle because [Chavez] told her that he was going to shoot the cop" according to an arrest affidavit.

    Chavez and Pina remain in the El Paso County Jail without bond.

    https://www.ktsm.com/crime/grand-jur...era/2059061381
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Woman charged in murder of El Paso County Sheriff's deputy enters plea

    By Keenan Willard
    KFOX 14 News

    EL PASO, Texas — Arlene Pina, 20, was arraigned Wednesday on capital murder charges stemming from the shooting death of Deputy Peter Herrera.

    Herrera was shot during a traffic stop early in the morning on March 22 in San Elizario.

    Herrera died at the hospital two days later.

    Deputies say Facundo Chavez shot Herrera.

    Court records show that Chavez told Pina, who was in the vehicle with him, that he was going to “shoot the cop.”

    In June, Chavez had his hearing postponed because he wanted a new attorney.

    In May, El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles announced that deputies arrested Pina in connection with Herrera’s death.

    Pina was charged with capital murder on May 11.

    Pina pleaded not guilty before a judge Wednesday. Her attorney Joe Spencer was by her side.

    If convicted of capital murder, Pina would be eligible for the death penalty.

    The El Paso County District Attorney’s Office had previously said it hadn’t decided if it would pursue the death penalty in this case.

    https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/woman-...ty-enters-plea
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Man accused of killing Deputy Herrera assaulted in jail

    By Erika Esquivel
    KFOX 14 News

    EL PASO, Texas — The man accused of shooting and killing El Paso County Sheriff's Office Deputy Peter Herrera, 27-year-old Facundo Chavez, was physically assaulted in jail, according to officials with the sheriff’s office.

    According to the sheriff’s office, Chavez was assaulted May 23 at 11:54 a.m.

    Officials said the assault happened in the two-person housing area.

    Officials said 47-year-old John Casto was charged with assault. Chavez was separated from all other inmates.

    Arlene Pina, 20, another suspect was indicted on a capital murder charge as well.

    Herrera was conducting a traffic stop in San Elizario in March when he was allegedly shot and killed by Chavez.

    The affidavit said audio from the dash camera shows Piña exited the vehicle, approached Chavez, and explicitly stated in Spanish "Beat that ******."

    Pina and Chavez allegedly tried to flee the scene.

    Herrera graduated from Del Valle High School in 2002.

    https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/man-ac...aulted-in-jail
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    KFOX14 Exclusive: DA sheds light on murder trials for Deputy Herrera's suspected killers

    By Lianna Golden
    KFOX14 News

    EL PASO, Texas — In an exclusive interview with KFOX14, El Paso County District Attorney Yvonne Rosales provided insight into the delays surrounding the murder case of El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter Herrera.

    Herrera was shot and killed in the line of duty in March 2019. Three years later, the accused killers have yet to go to trial.

    Rosales said that the pandemic and a large backlog of cases has caused some delays.

    KFOX14 Reporter Lianna Golden: "Is it acceptable to your office for a case as big as this one to sit still as long as it has?"

    Rosales: "Absolutely not."

    Facundo Chavez and Arlene Pina are the two suspects charged with capital murder for the killing of Herrera

    On Monday, Rosales shared that one of them will soon face a jury.

    “Actually, I do have a bit of good news,” said Rosales. “Arlene Pina’s case will be going to trial first and will be scheduled for May 9th.”

    As for Chavez, Rosales said he requested a new attorney in September, delaying the process even longer.

    “He was assigned a new attorney. So the judge is giving them a little bit of time to catch up,” said the DA. “It’s volumes and volumes of evidence that the defense has to read through and get acquainted with that case.”

    Despite the delays, KFOX14 wanted to know when Herrera's case will get its turn in court.

    Golden: "Where does it fall on the priority list? I know you have a lot of cases to catch up on, but where does this one fall in the grand scheme of all those big cases?"

    Rosales: "Every victim is important to us, it’s just a matter of each court scheduling those big cases. I have no control of when the judge schedules those cases, so it’s really a matter of what the judge is prioritizing and when they make those schedules."

    Chavez has a status hearing scheduled for May 23.

    Rosales says after that, she’s hopeful he could go to trial by the end of this summer.

    “We’re ready. We’re ready to go to trial,” said Rosales.

    https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/kfox14...pected-killers
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Related:

    Arlene Piña, girlfriend of suspect in killing of El Paso deputy, gets 15-year plea deal

    By Daniel Borunda
    El Paso Times

    A woman accused of cheering on her boyfriend as he beat an El Paso County sheriff's deputy who was fatally shot in a traffic stop was sentenced in a plea deal Monday.

    Arlene Piña was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a reduced manslaughter charge in a plea deal with the office of El Paso County District Attorney Yvonne Rosales.

    Piña had been scheduled to go to trial on May 9 on a capital murder charge in the ambush shooting of Deputy Peter J. Herrera during a late-night traffic stop in San Elizario in 2019.

    In Texas, capital murder is punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty.

    At Monday's hearing, the deputy's widow, Ashley Herrera, said she was disgusted that Piña was given a "slap on the wrist" in the death of her husband, Channel 7-KVIA reported.

    Piña's boyfriend, Facundo Chavez, allegedly shot Herrera after being pulled over for having only one headlight and an expired registration. He is jailed awaiting trial on a charge of capital murder.

    The shooting occurred around 1:50 a.m. on Chicken Ranch Road in San Elizario on March 22, 2019, during a traffic stop recorded by the deputy's body camera and a patrol vehicle dashboard camera, according to criminal complaint documents filed by sheriff's investigators.

    Chavez, then 27, was driving with Piña, then 20, in the passenger seat when Herrera pulled their BMW over, according to sheriff's complaint affidavits.

    Affidavits stated that Piña later told detectives that she didn't want to get in trouble because she had a restraining order against Chavez and Herrera had helped her in a past family violence call regarding Chavez.

    When the deputy stopped them, Chavez grabbed a handgun from the shifter area, inserted an ammo clip and tucked the weapon into his waistband, telling Piña he was going to shoot Herrera, an affidavit stated.

    Chavez allegedly told detectives that he shot Herrera because he was a felon in possession of a handgun with an extended 30-round clip and also claimed Piña told him Herrera was the "cop" who had been harassing her, documents state.

    When the deputy asked him to exit, Chavez allegedly stepped out of the car and without saying anything pulled out the gun and shot Herrera at least five times at point-blank range, documents state. Sheriff officials have said he fired about 15 rounds.

    According to the affidavit, cameras filmed Piña get out of the car and approach Chavez and Herrera, who was on the street.

    "Dale a ese (expletive)," Piña was allegedly recorded saying in Spanish on camera audio, which captured the sounds of Chavez allegedly beating the mortally wounded deputy. The affidavit translated the saying as "Beat that (expletive)."

    Piña, who was convicted in a separate drug case, allegedly tried to steal Herrera's gun and had dried blood on her hands, the affidavit states.

    Cameras recorded as Chavez and Piña got back into their car. They tried to drive off, but their car stalled before they ran off, documents state.

    The pair were found hiding in a shed during a law enforcement search following the shooting. Herrera died from his wounds at a hospital two days later.

    El Paso County DA explains reason for plea

    The El Paso County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement Monday evening saying prosecutors felt manslaughter was a more appropriate charge than capital murder for Piña’s involvement in Herrera’s death.

    The statement read: "The (prosecution) Homicide Unit, led by attorneys who worked under the prior administration and have over 25 years of prosecutorial experience each, determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed to trial on the original indictment against Arlene Pina. The evidence supports the plea to manslaughter as Ms. Pina was a passenger, but did not actively participate in the shooting of Deputy Herrera. A trial date for Facundo Chavez has not yet been set by the Court."

    https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/ne...ce/9618802002/
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  8. #8
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    Deputy Peter Herrera's family asks Texas Attorney General to oversee El Paso DA's office

    By Jamel Valencia
    CBS 4 News


    EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The family of an El Paso County sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty requested help from the state out of concern over the El Paso District Attorney’s Office.

    CBS4 learned Melissa Herrera, sister of deputy Peter Herrera, wrote the Texas Attorney General requesting his office have oversight of Yvonne Rosales’ office and to "assist that justice is done swiftly.

    The fallen deputy's story gained national attention in 2019 when he was shot and killed during a traffic stop by suspected murderer, Facundo Chavez.

    "I am writing to you so that I can shared my families experienced with the judicial systems and to seek support from your office in my brother's case," Herrera wrote Ken Paxton. "For 3 years myself and my family have been hoping for justice to be done in a timely manner."

    Rosales is under scrutiny in her first year in office for the high volume of criminal cases backlogged, some resulting in dismissals.

    Herrera mentioned to Paxton she and her family found out at the last minute that Arlene Pina, the second suspect in her brother's killing, was offered a plea deal with a lesser charge.

    In May, CBS4 reported Pina's capital murder charge was given a reduced manslaughter charge and sentenced to 15 years in prison in a plea deal with Rosales' office.

    Herrera stated in her letter she was advised Pina could be eligible for parole in 2023.

    "My family is confused about why she received this plea deal and why she got such a lenient sentence in her participation in the murder of my brother, a public servant," Herrera wrote.

    Pina's boyfriend, Facundo Chavez, was charged with capital murder in the deadly shooting of Herrera in 2019.

    Chavez remains in jail awaiting trial.

    Rosales is involved in a lawsuit where she’s at risk of being removed from office because of an abundance of criminal cases that have not been filed in a timely manner leaving some cases to be dismissed.

    Herrera ended her letter requesting Paxton's office to oversee Rosales' office after she learned the chief lead on Chavez was fired.

    Herrera's letter was forwarded for review, according to documents CBS4 obtained from the state.

    There was no action the Office of the Attorney General could make regarding Herrera's request due to limitations of the office, documents stated.

    https://cbs4local.com/news/local/dep...aso-das-office
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Jury selection process starts for man accused of killing El Paso deputy Peter Herrera

    By KFOX News Staff

    EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The jury selection process for the man accused of killing El Paso County sheriff's deputy, Peter Herrera, started Wednesday.

    Potential jurors were interviewed Wednesday morning at the county courthouse.

    Wednesday was the first scheduled juror questionnaire for the trial of Facundo Chavez.

    Chavez is facing the death penalty.

    During the questionnaire process Chavez was present in the courtroom.

    Chavez was charged with capital murder the shooting death in March 2019.

    Authorities said Chavez shot Herrera multiple times after he stepped outside of the vehicle during a traffic stop in San Elizario.

    Chavez's then girlfriend, Arlene Leeann Piña, who was in the vehicle, was charged with capital murder.

    Pina was given a reduced manslaughter charge in May.

    She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a plea deal.

    A second and third juror questionnaire are scheduled for November 30 and December 30.

    Chavez remains in jail awaiting his trial, which is scheduled for May 15, 2023.

    https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/jury-s...ne-leeann-pina
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  10. #10
    Moderator Bobsicles's Avatar
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    Chavez also has a backup jury trial scheduled for June 5, 2023.

    https://casesearch.epcounty.com/Publ...CaseID=8230896
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    Tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t even matter - Linkin Park

    Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever. - Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt

    I’m going to the ghost McDonalds - Garcello

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