During a discussion on policing and criminal justice reform, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo warned of a coming public backlash on lenient felony bond policies.
In response to policies in some of Texas' blue cities, Abbott has identified public safety reforms he will push this legislative session.
An alleged human smuggler arrested Monday was released the following day on a personal bond ordered by a Harris County magistrate.
Despite a criminal history and gang affiliation, a murder suspect previously released on three separate felony bonds was quietly released on bond in Harris County last month.
The use of personal recognizance bonds for violent offenders, which has led to over 50 deaths in Harris County, became a flash-point in a commissioners court meeting.
Harris County has been implementing lenient bonds policies for habitual criminals even prior to the coronavirus outbreak.
After a Travis County district court tried to block Governor Abbott's order stopping the release of violent suspects, the Texas Supreme Court issued a stay.
The next move will come from the Texas Supreme Court which could affirm or overturn the district court's temporary restraining order.
Judge DaSean Jones, a self-avowed socialist, released murder suspect David Cruz from jail due to coronavirus concerns. The Harris County judge previously said "he plans on pissing a lot of people off."
Our Austin homelessness reporter accompanied a police officer on the night shift to observe what they experience on a nightly basis.
