A day after briefing the city on its all-time record homicide total, the Austin Police Department announced another homicide.
A new report from District Attorney Kim Ogg says that bail reform has led to declining community safety and disintegration of the purpose of bail reform.
Skyrocketing homicide rates and bond release practices in Harris County have drawn the attention of gubernatorial candidate Allen West.
A Harris County report sparked controversy for excluding data from the district attorney’s office, and commissioners clash over felony bail legislation.
A man charged with murdering a Houston police officer was released on bond just hours after police Chief Acevedo lambasted Harris County judges over felony bond practices.
A report for Harris County acknowledges spikes in violent crime, but says misdemeanor bail reform policies are unrelated and are helping to reduce misdemeanor filings and use of cash bail.
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.
